King Charles confirms Prince Harry and Meghan will remain private citizens in the UK

A letter from the head of the Royal Household, issued under King Charles III’s direction, confirms that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will continue to be treated as private citizens while residing in the United Kingdom. The correspondence, sent to the couple’s team and senior officials across the UK government and military, reiterates that their royal styles remain in abeyance and that any charitable work will be undertaken in a personal capacity.

The document notes that the Sussexes will retain financial independence and privacy protections, describing their situation as “akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.” It also clarifies that they will not receive public funding for royal duties or the automatic taxpayer-funded police protection afforded to other senior royals.

Harry and Meghan, who moved to California in 2020 after stepping back from senior royal roles, returned to the UK on Aug. 26 with their children, Archie and Lilibet, and plan to stay for an extended period while the children attend school. The family’s UK residence and school placements have not been disclosed.

"It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex," the letter states.

Since leaving the UK, the couple has pursued commercial projects, including speaking engagements, a Netflix production deal, and a lifestyle show hosted by Meghan.