King Charles says Harry and Meghan remain private citizens after UK return

King Charles Issues Letter Clarifying Sussexes’ Status

On 7 September 2026, King Charles ordered his senior palace official, the Lord Chamberlain, to circulate a memorandum that spells out the official standing of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle now that they have moved back to Britain. The document, addressed to senior officials across government, the armed forces and the network of 98 Lord Lieutenants, makes clear that the pair remain “private citizens” and are not to be treated as working members of the Royal Family.

"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."

King Charles, via Lord Chamberlain, via three.fm

The memorandum repeats language from the original 2020 agreement that saw the Sussexes step down from representative duties. It also instructs any organisation that seeks a public‑funded reception for the couple to refer the matter to Buckingham Palace, and tells police authorities to handle operational security concerns.

Timeline of the Sussexes’ Royal Role Since 2020

The return, announced in late August, prompted a flurry of queries from local authorities about courtesies, security and the possible use of public funds. The palace’s response was framed as a routine clarification, yet the very need for the memo highlights lingering uncertainty about how the couple’s charitable work will be managed under the “private capacity” clause.

What “Private Citizen” Means for Harry and Meghan

According to the memorandum, the Sussexes’ charitable activities are “a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity.” This phrasing mirrors the language of the Sandringham Agreement, which explicitly barred any “half‑in, half‑out” arrangement that would let the couple pursue commercial interests while still representing the Crown.

The letter also confirms that the “HRH” styles remain suspended, so official invitations, state visits or any protocol that would normally require a Royal Highness title are to be declined. The couple’s current residence is a private estate in the Cotswolds, and they have yet to secure a new official royal address.

Administrative Guidance Sent to Government and Military

The King’s directive reaches three main audiences:

• Government departments – any request for public funding or official courtesies must be routed through Buckingham Palace.
• Military and security agencies – operational security issues continue to be the remit of the relevant police forces, while strategic protection decisions sit with the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).
• Lord Lieutenants – as the monarch’s local representatives, they are now instructed to treat any Sussexes‑led events as private engagements, not royal duties.

Palace officials described the guidance as “nothing controversial” and emphasized its purpose: to avoid “doubt or confusion” among public bodies now that the Sussexes are living in Britain again.

The next step for the Sussexes will be to navigate their upcoming charitable calendar this autumn while finalising a permanent residence. How Buckingham Palace and the RAVEC will coordinate security for any public appearances remains an open question that officials have pledged to address on a case‑by‑case basis.