LONDON — Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will remain nonworking members of Britain’s royal family after their return to the U.K., a letter sent on behalf of King Charles III said Monday.The couple who last month moved from California back to Britain for an “extended” stay with their children Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, will still not be able to use the titles of His and Her Royal Highness, according to the letter signed by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior officer of the royal household.
“It is well known 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,” the letter read.“This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected,” it added.
A Buckingham Palace source confirmed to NBC News that the letter had been shared with Harry’s team on Monday.It was put into the public domain because it would likely have leaked anyway and they wanted to avoid claims of secrecy around what it contained, they said.
Add to GooglePrince Harry and Meghan Arrive in the U.K.to Begin Their New Life02:55NBC News has reached out to the Sussexes for comment.
The letter from Lord Chamberlain went on to say that “their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.” It added that their charitable work was “a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity” and “in short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.” The letter was released “to help avoid doubt or confusion,” after “a number of requests for guidance.” Harry and Meghan rattled the royal family when they opted to step down as working royals si...