King Charles III has further entangled the public in the ongoing royal family feud through a letter that reiterates Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's status as private citizens, despite their recent return to the United Kingdom. Royal commentator Tom Sykes described the situation as the monarch and the Duke of Sussex "dragging" the public into a "squalid little argument."
Charles reportedly sent the letter to Harry's team, the UK government, and military officials to clarify that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cannot use the titles of "His and Her Royal Highness" or engage in official royal duties. The letter, intended to "avoid doubt or confusion," confirmed that their charitable work will be undertaken in a personal capacity. This clarification comes weeks after Harry and Markle established a base in the UK for an extended period.
A spokesperson for Harry and Markle told the BBC that they were "a little surprised to have not been told about this," suggesting the surprise was about the timing of the communication, not its content. According to Sykes, who cited a source close to Harry, the couple agrees with the letter's assertion that Harry is not a working royal. However, they reportedly objected to the letter being sent to their office just minutes before its public release and to the King feeling the need to restate a known fact.
The letter stated that Harry and Markle stepped down from their royal duties in January 2020 and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. It emphasized that they cannot hold a "half-in and half-out" status, meaning their activities will be considered personal endeavors.
Harry and Markle, who had been living in Montecito, California, for six years with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, quietly moved back to the UK on August 26. Sources indicated their desire to return to be closer to King Charles III, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. The couple reportedly looked for a home in the Cotswolds and planned for their children to attend a UK preparatory school with an annual tuition of $35,000.
Sykes remarked that while this period should be for remembering Queen Elizabeth II, four years after her death, the ongoing dispute has diverted attention. He argued that both Prince Harry and King Charles are contributing to this public airing of private matters, particularly after Harry's office informed the BBC of their surprise regarding the letter.