THE palace has said Harry and Meghan are not working royals despite their bombshell return to the UK.
Guidance shared by the King confirmed their charity work is a “personal matter” and their position is “akin to private citizens”.
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A strongly-worded letter read: “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.
“It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
“Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.
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“The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess 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.”
It follows The Sun’s world exclusive that Harry and Meghan were returning to the UK with their kids.
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We previously reported that the Duchess of Sussex will be “rekindling” her work with UK charities as she starts life back in Britain.
Meghan, 45, is expected to be photographed and publicised working with the charities but will keep a low-profile to begin with.
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This comes as the couple iron out a new “fair” structure for coverage of their engagements and public work after they withdrew from the Royal rota system in 2020.
Friends of the couple said they “trying to avoid being spotted” while they focus on settling their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, before school starts.
Meghan is hoping to “pick up with a lot of people” another source close to the duchess added.
She is already planning ways to support new causes alongside ones she previously worked with, they added.
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This includes Smart Works, a charity which supports unemployed and vulnerable women looking for jobs.
Meghan has not been seen in the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral four years ago — and avoided the cameras after returning in July.
While she is busy back- to-school shopping and hopes to keep a low-profile, Harry is set to mark his comeback with a string of engagements.
He is expected to jump straight into charity engagements and appear at this month’s annual WellChild Awards.
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Meghan remains in talks for a role in The Gentlemen which is set to begin filming for series three soon.
She also wants to ensure her son Archie, seven, and daughter Lilibet, five, are fully adjusted in their new schools and home.