King Charles confirms Prince Harry and Meghan will remain private citizens in the UK
A royal household letter states that Prince Harry and Meghan will stay as non-working royals with their titles in abeyance, retaining financial independence and privacy while residing in the United Kingdom.
A letter issued by the head of the Royal Household on Monday confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will continue to be treated as private citizens rather than working members of the royal family during their stay in the United Kingdom. The correspondence, sent under the direction of King Charles III, was addressed to Harry’s team and senior officials across the UK government and armed forces.
The document reiterates that the couple’s royal styles remain in abeyance and will not be used, and that any charitable activities they pursue will be undertaken in a private capacity. It also affirms their “financial independence” and the protection of their privacy as desired.
"It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex," the letter reads. "Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity."
Harry and Meghan, who stepped back from senior royal duties in 2020, have not publicly commented on the letter. Their spokesperson told ABC News that the couple was “surprised” by the communication. The Sussexes arrived in the UK on Aug. 26 with their children, Archie and Lilibet, and plan to remain for an extended period while the children attend school, according to a source.
Since relocating to California in 2020, the pair have pursued commercial projects, including speaking engagements, a Netflix production deal that yielded the 2022 docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” and Meghan’s lifestyle show “With Love, Meghan.” Their security has been privately funded since leaving the United Kingdom.