Buckingham Palace has asserted a firm boundary regarding the public roles of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, particularly as they undertake a series of engagements in the United Kingdom and abroad this autumn. A letter from the King's senior official, Lord Chamberlain Lord Benyon, has stipulated limitations on their roles as private citizens, a move that has reportedly drawn a strong reaction from the Sussexes.
Despite the King's efforts to delineate their status, Prince Harry has announced a schedule of upcoming appearances that includes a headline appearance at the Clinton Global Initiative event in New York. The specifics of whether he is being paid or if his costs are covered for this engagement remain unclear.
Further engagements in the UK include the inaugural 'Invictus Spirit' Awards on September 17, an event where Meghan could potentially join her husband. This date poses a scheduling challenge, as the Prince and Princess of Wales are also undertaking an official visit to the Isle of Bute on the same day. The King also has a significant, globally focused public engagement scheduled for that day.
The Royal Household has expressed concern about the optics of any appearance by the Sussexes that might be perceived as unofficial royal activity. There is no co-ordination between the diaries of the official working royals and those of Prince Harry and Meghan. While the Palace hopes the public will focus on the duties of working royals, any return to the UK by the Sussexes is expected to generate considerable attention.
Prince Harry's autumn agenda also includes the launch of the Invictus education programme INSPIRE and the WellChild Awards in London on September 21. The latter is a charity the Prince has supported since his early days as a working royal.
Reports suggest that these events will be covered by a select group of journalists, indicating a deliberate strategy by Prince Harry to maintain a prominent public profile, regardless of his father's directives.
The Sussexes' representatives have responded to the Palace's communication with a series of briefings, expressing surprise at the letter and challenging the Palace's handling of the matter. Claims have been made that the Palace rushed the communication, prevented clarification, and even impacted the participation of the Ugandan team in the Invictus Games.
The specific point that has reportedly caused the most consternation for the Sussexes is the King's suggestion that they should be treated as private citizens whose charitable and commercial ventures are separate from the work of the Royal Family. A source close to the couple described this as unrealistic given their global fame, stating that the public is aware of their identities and that a normal private life is not feasible. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in 2023. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posed in the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace in November 2017. King Charles, then Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry attended the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony in September 2014.