Buckingham Palace has set out in writing where Prince Harry and Meghan stand following their return to the United Kingdom, in a letter circulated by the Lord Chamberlain to senior government officials, military leadership and lord lieutenants.
The letter states that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain non-working members of the royal family, that they will continue to refrain from using their royal titles as they have since 2020, and that any charitable work they undertake will be done in a private capacity.
“To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that (this) information be shared,” the letter says.
It further instructs that “any specific questions from official and State organizations about the courtesies which should be extended to the Duke and Duchess, and particularly where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace.”
Palace officials have voiced concern that an ambiguous status could allow the couple to operate as a parallel royal court alongside working royals.
The most contested question remains security.
Harry has waged a lengthy legal fight to restore publicly funded police protection withdrawn when the couple stepped back from official duties, a matter decided by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee rather than the palace.
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