Royal household sends letter confirming Harry and Meghan remain nonworking royals
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A letter issued on behalf of King Charles reaffirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will continue as nonworking members of the royal family after their return to the UK, a spokesperson said the couple was surprised by the communication.
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, were told by a letter on behalf of King Charles III that they will remain nonworking members of the royal family following their recent return to Britain. The couple’s spokesperson said they were "surprised" by the letter and had not been consulted on its contents.
Buckingham Palace released the letter on Monday, stating that the couple’s status had not changed since they stepped down from royal duties in January 2020. A palace source said the document was made public to pre-empt leaks and to clarify the couple’s position for the British government and the armed forces amid ongoing questions about public funding for their security.
The letter, signed by the Lord Chamberlain, noted that the Duke and Duchess are no longer working members of the Royal Family and that their charitable activities are undertaken privately. It added that their situation is "akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests" and that this status will continue to be respected.
A government committee is scheduled to meet this week to consider whether security protection should be provided to the family now that they are residing in the United Kingdom. The Home Office declined to comment, citing security concerns. The Sussexes moved from California to the UK last month with their children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, prompting renewed scrutiny of their security arrangements and past disputes with the government over police protection.