The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were caught by surprise by a letter circulated by Buckingham Palace on Sept. 7 to U.K. government departments and royal officials
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NEED TO KNOW
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were “surprised” by the letter circulated by Buckingham Palace reiterating their non-royal status, it emerged on Sept. 8
- The letter was released to inform U.K. government departments and others of the arrangements in the light of the couple’s return to the U.K. in August
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are believed to be staying in a private home outside of London, and their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are starting school
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were “surprised” by the timing of the letter circulated by Buckingham Palace clarifying their non-working royal status, PEOPLE understands.
In a guidance letter released on Monday, Sept. 7, a senior palace official reiterated the official positions of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The letter, issued on behalf of Harry’s father King Charles, was said to have been shared with the Sussexes’ team.
But a spokesman for the couple said early on Tuesday that the couple was “a little surprised not have been told about this in advance,” the BBC reported. Those close to the couple say that their team received the letter at 1.59 p.m. U.K. time, and 20 minutes later they sent back some questions – including whether the guidance had already been circulated as they wanted to inform the couple and wanted clarification on some other matters.
At 3.09 p.m., the couple’s tean were able to get hold of Prince Harry, who had been in a meeting, to inform him and share that they were asking about a couple of points in the letter. But at 3.11 p.m. U.K. time, they were told that the letter had been circulated to the media.
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The letter had pointed out that the couple were “private citizens” and still not able to use their HRH titles.
The guidance comes after a “number of requests” for clarity about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their return, palace sources said. It was issued by the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Benyon, at the King’s direction and was also shared with the Duke of Sussex’s team.
Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
“To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that the following information be shared,” the letter states.
The couple relocated to Britain in August ahead of their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, starting school. It’s believed they are staying in a private home outside London.
“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 continues. “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.”
Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
“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. 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.”
In another development, the official committee that decides on the family’s security arrangements is understood to be meeting this week, possibly as soon as Sept. 8. This could prove to be a significant step for Harry, 41, who has been undertaking a years-long legal battle for a reinstatement of the taxpayer-funded official security for him and his family when they are in the U.K.
“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 from the palace stated. “Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant Police authorities.”
When the letter was made public on Sept. 7, palace sources pointed out that it does not represent a new policy. Rather, it reiterates the terms agreed when Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family in 2020 and is in keeping with the Sussex family’s stated desire to remain private citizens while in the U.K.
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Moreover, the clarification comes as Harry prepares to undertake a series of charitable engagements that were planned well ahead of his and Meghan’s return to the U.K. He is expected to attend events associated with some of the charities and causes he supports, including the Invictus Games. The next iteration of the Games will take place in Birmingham, England, in July 2027.
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