Harry and Meghan ‘surprised’ at king’s letter reiterating they are non-working royalsThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex were apparently given little notice before message was sent to the media Tue, 08 Sep, 2026 – 12:51Caroline Davies
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were “surprised” at being given little notice of a formal letter sent to government departments and the military on behalf of King Charles reiterating their status as non-working royals.
Harry and Meghan, who returned to the UK from the US two weeks ago, had insufficient time to clarify any points before details were issued to the media, it is understood.
The letter, the first official public clarification of the couple’s status since their return, was issued by Buckingham Palace’s most senior officer, the lord chamberlain, Richard Benyon.
It was revealed to the media at 3.06pm on Monday.
It is understood the contents were shared with Harry and Meghan’s team almost an hour before at 1.59pm, who sent a response back to Buckingham Palace at 2.19pm asking whether the guidance had already gone out, in the hope of letting the couple know before the media, and for the team to have the chance to clarify one or two points.
Read More
Artworks worth €9m stolen from Renoir Museum on French Riviera in latest heist
Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian capital kill two people
New political turmoil in Kyiv as prosecutor general resigns
Harry was in a meeting and could not be contacted until 3.09pm.
The Sussexes’ team received confirmation at 3.11pm it had already been sent to the media.
The letter was revealed before a reported meeting this week of the executive committee for the protection of royalty and public figures (Ravec), which is responsible for making decisions about royal security.
Harry is waiting to hear the conclusion of the risk management board’s threat assessment and Ravec is expected to decide at the meeting whether the Sussexes are entitled to taxpayer-funded security now they live in the UK.
The Home Office does not comment on such decision making and would be unlikely to reveal the outcome of such a meeting.
Lord Benyon’s letter reiterates the couple’s “current” status as non-working royals.
“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.
“Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.
It says their charitable work “is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity”.
“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
The letter says questions from official and state organisations about the courtesies extended to the couple, “and particularly where recourse to public funds may be required”, should be directed to Buckingham Palace, adding: “Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.”
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.
The palace’s clarification came on the day Harry was revealed to have visited Tower Bridge Studios, a London filming and podcast studio, where shows such as the podcasts Diary of a CEO and Jimmy Carr’s The Big Pitch are recorded.
– The Guardian
Read More
Iran threatens US with new ‘economic warfare’ and missiles as Houthis attack Saudi Arabia
x
185th Anniversary Offer
Six months of digital access for €18.50
Already a subscriber? Sign in
No obligation. Ts&Cs apply.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
NEWSLETTERS
NOTIFICATIONS
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
Prince Harry quits board of wildlife charity after rangers’ human rights abuses
Irish Examiner view: €100k cost of drought for farmers
Terry Prone: Good luck to Harry and Meghan on moving back to Britain. They’re going to need it
More in this section
Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian capital kill two people
Australia to force social media platforms to allow users to opt out of algorithms
New political turmoil in Kyiv as prosecutor general resigns
#Royal Family