The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be permitted to carry out official engagements as working royals following their return to the United Kingdom, according to a letter sent on behalf of King Charles. The correspondence, issued by the Lord Chamberlain—a senior Palace official—is intended to provide definitive clarity regarding the status of Prince Harry and Meghan, who moved back to the UK from California last month with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The letter has been distributed to Prince Harry’s team, government departments, military officials, and Lord Lieutenants. As the monarch’s local representatives, Lord Lieutenants and government staff are frequently involved in the coordination of royal visits, and the Palace is signaling that any appearances by the Sussexes should not be treated as official royal engagements.
The message explicitly states that any activities carried out by the couple will be in a private capacity and that they will not be representing the Royal Family.
This communication serves as a reminder that the terms of the 2020 Sandringham Agreement remain in full effect. That agreement, reached when the couple first left the UK, ruled out any "half-in and half-out" status, preventing the Sussexes from pursuing their own commercial interests while simultaneously acting as working royals.
The letter reiterates that in January 2020, the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. It further notes that their charitable work is a personal matter undertaken in a private capacity.
The King’s message also addresses the handling of inquiries from organizations regarding the reception of the couple. It specifies that any questions, particularly those where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace. The letter confirms that Prince Harry and Meghan remain private citizens and are not able to use the "HRH" titles of His and Her Royal Highness.
Regarding ongoing security concerns, the letter states that any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities. The Palace maintains that such matters must be addressed by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec, which is responsible for deciding security arrangements for royals and public figures. Prince Harry has previously raised complaints regarding the adequacy of police protection in the UK.
Palace sources indicated that the decision to make the Lord Chamberlain’s letter public was made in a spirit of transparency to avoid the risks associated with potential leaks. This clarification arrives ahead of expected public appearances by the couple this autumn as they settle in the UK and continue to support their charities, including the Invictus Games, which are scheduled to be held in Birmingham next year.
Since their departure in 2020, which was chronicled in a Netflix documentary, the couple has established financial independence in California, including the publication of Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, and the creation of Meghan’s online food range, As Ever.
There have also been reports that Meghan is considering a return to acting. Representatives for Prince Harry and Meghan have been contacted for a response regarding the Palace's statement.
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