Harry and Meghan ‘surprised’ by letter from Charles which says they are not working royals despite UK returnA spokesperson for the Sussexes said that they were ‘a little surprised’ not to have been told about the letter from Charles in advance
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Tom Place, News Reporter2 minutes ago
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Harry and Meghan have expressed their surprise after King Charles reiterated in a letter that they remain non-working royals.
The letter, which was sent to Prince Harry’s team, government departments, military officials and Lord Lieutenants on Monday afternoon, makes clear the duke and duchess do not use their HRH styles.
Sent on behalf of the King by the Lord Chamberlain, a top Palace official, the letter also underlines that any engagements carried out by the Sussexes will be in a private capacity and that they will not be representing the Royal Family.
A spokesperson for the couple said that they were “a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance”.
However, royal sources say that the Sussexes were made aware of the letter before it was made public.
Harry and Meghan remain private citizens, the King has clarified (Jonathan Brady/PA)PA Wire
The King had previously said to be glad to be able to spend more time with the family, who moved back from California with children Archie and Lilibet last month.
The letter states: “Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that the following information be shared.
“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.
“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.
“The charitable work of the duke and duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity.
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“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
“Any specific questions from official and State organisations about the courtesies which should be extended to the Duke and Duchess, and particularly where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace.”
The letter was sent on behalf of King Charles by the Lord Chamberlain, AFP/Getty
Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020 for personal and financial reasons, and moved to California.
Now back in the UK, Harry is expected to carry out a series of engagements around the WellChild awards, normally held in mid-September, as well as supporting his charities, including the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next year.
It has been reported Meghan is aiming to rekindle her work with her UK-based charities, amid reports that she is also considering a return to acting.
The couple’s children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are expected to be starting school in the UK near to the family’s reported countryside retreat.
Regarding their security, the letter says that “any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.”
It is understood that a security committee, which includes Home Office representatives, is meeting this week to look at the level of taxpayer-funded security that should be given to the Sussexes.
The Royal and VIP Executive Committee – known as Ravec – decides security for royals and public figures and Prince Harry has previously complained about a lack of adequate police protection in the UK.
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