King Charles has had a letter sent on his behalf stating that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex status has not changed: Prince Harry and Meghan will not be working royals after returning to the UK. The message says their engagements will be private, not official, and that they remain unable to use the HRH titles.
The letter was sent to Prince Harry's team, the government, military and Lord Lieutenants. It says questions from organisations about reception should go to Buckingham Palace, while operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.
January 2020 position
The letter repeats the line that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. It also says their charitable work is a personal matter for them both and is undertaken in their private capacity.
That wording keeps the 2020 position in place after the Sussexes returned to the UK last month from California with Archie and Lilibet. Prince Harry and Meghan are described in the letter as private citizens with commercial and charitable interests, not as figures carrying out official royal engagements.
Buckingham Palace guidance
The practical effect is that any future appearance by the Sussexes in the UK sits outside royal duty. Organisations dealing with them are told to route reception questions through Buckingham Palace when public funds may be involved, while security matters stay with the relevant police authorities.
The letter was made public because Palace sources said it was better than risking it emerging in leaks. With public appearances by the Sussexes expected this autumn, the clearest reading is simple: they may return, but they will do so privately, not as working royals.
