Prince Harry made his first public appearance in the United Kingdom since his return, visiting Tower Bridge Studios in London on Monday. The Duke of Sussex was seen in good spirits, posing for a photo in front of a wall covered in signatures from past studio guests and adding his own.
The visit occurred as King Charles III reportedly confirmed that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, are not working members of the Royal Family. A letter attributed to the Lord Chamberlain, on behalf of the King, stated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cannot use their His and Her Royal Highness titles and are "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."
According to the BBC, the letter emphasized that the couple stepped down from their royal duties in January 2020, relinquishing their roles as working royals. Their charitable endeavors are described as personal matters undertaken in their private capacity. The clarification noted that Harry and Markle cannot maintain a "half-in and half-out" status, meaning they cannot serve as working royals while simultaneously pursuing independent business ventures.
Prince Harry, who is 40, traveled to the studio alone. He and Markle, 45, relocated to Montecito, California, in 2020 after stepping back from royal responsibilities. Sources indicated to Page Six last month that the couple's temporary return to the UK was to be closer to King Charles as he undergoes cancer treatment. They are reportedly residing in a non-royal property.
The Duke of Sussex's visit and the clarification of his royal status come amidst a period of reportedly strained relationships with some members of his family, including his brother Prince William. These tensions have been documented in Harry's past interviews and his 2023 memoir, "Spare."