King Charles has dealt a fresh blow to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after breaking his silence on the couple’s return to the UK.
The 77-year-old monarch confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not resume duties as working royals or carry out official engagements following their return to England, according to a letter sent on Charles’ behalf by the Lord Chamberlain and reported by the BBC.
The letter also stated that Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, will not be permitted to use their HRH titles — His and Her Royal Highness. A senior Palace official told the BBC that the Sussexes are considered “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
The letter, sent on King Charles’ behalf by the Lord Chamberlain, stated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cannot use their HRH titles — His and Her Royal Highness — and described the Sussexes as “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
“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 reportedly stated.
The correspondence confirmed that the agreement reached in 2020, when Harry and Meghan stepped away from their roles as working royals and left the UK, will remain in effect despite their return.
It also ruled out the possibility of a “half-in, half-out” arrangement, meaning the Duke and Duchess cannot carry out duties as working royals while simultaneously pursuing independent commercial ventures.
“The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” the letter added.
Palace sources told the BBC that the correspondence was sent to Harry’s team as well as the UK government, the military and Lord Lieutenants.
Page Six has contacted Buckingham Palace and representatives for Harry and Meghan for comment.
The letter was reportedly sent to Harry’s team, as well as the UK government and military (Charles is pictured above).
The Sussexes returned to England last month with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, for an “extended period,” marking their return six years after stepping away from royal duties.
The family reportedly traveled by private jet from California, arriving at Birmingham Airport around lunchtime on Aug. 26.
Page Six previously reported that Harry and Markle’s decision to relocate was partly motivated by a desire to be closer to Charles, who is battling cancer, and to give their children an opportunity to develop stronger relationships with their relatives.
The king learned of his younger son and daughter-in-law’s plans just days before news of their move became public, Page Six previously confirmed.
Page Six previously reported that the Sussexes returned to England in part to be closer to Charles (pictured here), who is battling cancer.
In July, Charles reportedly took a major step toward repairing his relationship with Harry and Meghan by inviting the couple to his country residence, Highgrove.
Queen Camilla was also present for the reunion, which marked the first time Charles had seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in four years.
Harry and Meghan famously moved to California in 2020 after stepping down as senior working members of the royal family. In the years since, they have launched several projects outside the monarchy, including a Netflix docuseries and Harry’s bestselling memoir, “Spare,” while pursuing various entertainment and business ventures.
Charles learned about Harry and Markle’s plans to return to the UK just days before news of their move became public (the Sussexes are pictured here in London).
The couple ultimately decided to relocate to England after several of their business ventures hit setbacks, despite Harry’s continued tensions with members of the royal family, including his estranged brother, Prince William.
As Page Six previously reported, Harry and Markle plan to “continue with their business enterprises” while living in a “non-royal residence.” The couple has been searching for a new home, potentially in the Cotswolds, which would put them closer to Charles and Queen Camilla’s Highgrove House.
Meanwhile, Harry and Markle have already begun putting down roots in the UK, with Page Six confirming that their children have enrolled in a prestigious prep school costing around $35,000 a year.
