King Charles III reportedly referred to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as "private citizens" in a letter to clearly communicate that the couple is not functioning as working members of the British royal family. A source told Us Weekly that the King's intention was to avoid public confusion, stating, "They can’t be one foot in and one foot out."
According to the insider, the monarch sought to make it clear that Harry and Markle would not resume their senior royal roles upon their return to the United Kingdom. The source explained that an agreement made when the couple stepped back from royal duties stipulated that any public-facing activities or patronage involvement would require palace approval to prevent misunderstandings about their official status.
However, Harry and Markle have reportedly taken issue with the "private citizens" designation. A source close to the couple told People that they are "public figures" and that the notion of them living a "normal, ‘private’ life is sadly not realistic."
Some insiders have suggested that if the couple were indeed private individuals, the Lord Chamberlain would not have needed to issue formal guidance. This public notice was reportedly sent to the media without the couple's prior consultation. Royal insiders told The Telegraph that Charles and his staff intended to inform the Duke and Duchess before the announcement, but the notice was released to the media within an hour, before Harry's team could respond.
The timing of the letter has also drawn criticism, with Harry and Meghan reportedly feeling frustrated by what they perceived as a deliberate move. This came as an Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures was scheduled to discuss whether the couple and their children should be granted police protection during their extended stay in the UK. Palace sources have denied these claims.
The family arrived in the UK on August 26, following confirmation that they would be moving back to England for a significant period. Prince Harry's first public appearance upon his return was at Tower Bridge Studios in London. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle was seen at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds. The couple had previously confirmed they were house hunting in the same affluent area.