King Charles confirms Harry and Meghan will remain non-working royals after UK return
A letter on behalf of King Charles confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan will stay as non-working members of the royal family, without the HRH style, following their recent move back to Britain.
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will continue as non-working members of the British royal family after their return to the United Kingdom, a letter on behalf of King Charles III said Monday. The correspondence, signed by the Lord Chamberlain, the senior officer of the royal household, noted that the couple, who moved from California for an extended stay with their children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, remain unable to use the titles His and Her Royal Highness.
"It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of The Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of The Royal Family," the letter read.
The document added that their status, separate from the duties of the working royal family, grants them personal latitude regarding financial independence and privacy, and that this arrangement will continue to be respected. It also clarified that their charitable activities are undertaken privately and that their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
A Buckingham Palace source said the letter was shared with Harry’s team and made public to avoid speculation and claims of secrecy. The source indicated the release aimed to prevent doubt or confusion after several inquiries for guidance.
Harry and Meghan stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and have lived in Montecito, California, since then. Their return follows reports that their children have been enrolled in UK schools and comes amid ongoing legal disputes over security arrangements and a recent court-ordered payment to a newspaper publisher.