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Harry and Meghan ‘Surprised’ by King Ruling Out Return as Working Royals
Confirmed
In Short: In a letter sent on behalf of King Charles, the couple was officially clarified as no longer being working royals, despite their recent return to the UK.
In a letter sent on behalf of King Charles, the couple was officially clarified as no longer being working royals, despite their recent return to the UK. According to reports, the Sussexes were surprised not to have been informed in advance, though royal sources say they were made aware before the public announcement. The letter, sent to Prince Harry's team and government departments, reiterated the 2020 Sandringham Agreement, which ruled out any "half-in and half-out" status. This decision means the couple will remain private citizens, unable to use titles of "His and Her Royal Highness" and unable to pursue their own commercial interests while still being associated with the royal family.
The King's message emphasized that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from undertaking representative duties in January 2020 and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. The letter instructed the Lord Chamberlain to contact government departments and the military following requests for guidance after the Sussexes returned to the UK last month. Despite the official stance, there have been reports that Meghan is considering a return to acting, adding to the ongoing drama surrounding the couple's relationship with the royal family.
Harry has had a strained relationship with his family since the announcement in January 2020, and the King was glad to be able to spend more time with the family but remained adamant they would not be working royals. The couple's return to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, has sparked renewed interest in their future roles and activities. The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) decides security for royals and public figures, and Prince Harry has previously complained about a lack of adequate police protection in the UK.
The letter also clarified that all charitable work carried out by Harry and Meghan is a "personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity." This means their position is akin to that of private citizens with commercial and charitable interests. The decision to send the letter was intended to clarify the official status of the Sussexes, who moved back from California with their children last month. The lack of time given to the couple to respond to the letter reflects the unexpected nature of the clarification.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- President Donald Trump said he was not a fan of the couple and added that they treated the Royal Family with "great disrespect".
- The stars of Netflix's The Gentlemen season two reacted to the swirling rumours that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex may be joining the cast.
- The couple headed to California and quit as senior working royals completely in March 2020, just as the Covid pandemic took hold.
- Harry has continued to push for the UK Home Office to reinstate his family’s taxpayer-funded security, which was downgraded when the family left for North America in 2020.
- It added that all correspondence and administrative questions relating to the couple should be sent directly to their office, “which will continue to operate separately from The Royal Household.” ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.