Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly surprised by a formal letter from King Charles that reiterated their status as private citizens and clarified that their HRH titles remain "in abeyance." The letter, issued by King Charles, confirmed that the couple, having pursued commercial endeavors in America, are no longer working royals and do not hold royal or HRH styles.
This clarification echoes the terms set by the late Queen Elizabeth II at the Sandringham Summit. Under those terms, Harry and Meghan were permitted to pursue their commercial interests but would relinquish their roles as working royals and the use of their HRH titles. Reports suggest Meghan had previously been accused of breaching this restriction.
The couple, who have been in the UK for two weeks, reportedly expressed offense and surprise at the formal letter. Their spokesperson was quoted as saying they were "a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance." However, subsequent reports indicated that a copy of the letter had been sent to the Sussexes' team about an hour before its public release. The narrative then shifted, with reports suggesting the couple were angered by not having the opportunity to edit the letter themselves.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex agreed to the terms of their departure from royal duties six years ago. The recent formal communication from King Charles is seen by some as a definitive closing of the door on their return to royal roles. Despite the formal clarification, the couple reportedly believe they can still be "let back in" and that the royal family needs Harry.
This situation has also impacted their public engagements. The decision by Uganda's military chief to withdraw from the Invictus Games was framed by a Sussex source as a consequence of the Lord Chamberlain's guidance regarding the Duke and Duchess, stating it was "rushed out without consultation." This framing suggests a continued tendency to attribute the consequences of their actions or decisions to external factors.
Sources close to the couple had previously indicated a belief that they had successfully executed a "half in, half out" model with the royal family, a model that was reportedly forbidden by the Queen. The current events suggest a disconnect between the Sussexes' perceived reality and the established framework of the Royal Family's operational guidelines.