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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly were surprised by a “letter of guidance” issued to clarify their status now that they have returned to the UK.
King Charles Reasserts Old Arrangement
Reuters reported that the couple were surprised, although there was a touch of irony in that, given that “The return was a surprise even to close family with Harry’s father, the king, only being told days before the news became public.”
The Associated Press noted that the directive, written by Lord Chamberlain Lord Benyon as directed by King Charles III, reaffirms a six-year-old arrangement. The Lord Chamberlain isn’t some junior staffer.
The outlet noted that he’s “the most senior official in the royal household,” and the letter was sent to senior officials in the government and military, as well as lord lieutenants, “the King’s personal representatives around the country.”
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Remaining Non-Working Royals
The letter clarified that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain non-working royals, and their His and Her Royal Highness (HRH) styles remain in place. However, they are held “in abeyance,” which means they are not used.
Whatever Prince Harry and Meghan Markle do in the UK will be undertaken in a private capacity, with their position described as akin to that of private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
Why Issue The Letter Now?
Basically, what it means is that nothing really changed. Well, that raises the question: Why did the Palace bother to issue the reminder at all? And why did the monarchy feel it was right to publicly release the reminder right now?
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Of course, plenty of folks might take it as an extension of the rumored rift between the royal family and Prince Harry. Notably, though, the rather dry and non-dramatic explanation could simply be a response to a lot of speculation by royal family commentators and the media.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex lived in the USA for six years, and their return to the country brings more than just experts and royal watchers into the picture.
Other Organizations
The reminder also involves government departments, military organizations, and regional representatives. They need to know how they are expected to deal with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
For example, what official protocols should they apply, and how should they treat the couple? Then there’s the question of whether public funds can be used.
Another thing to be considered is that some organizations reportedly asked for clarity about Harry and Meghan’s status.
Harry will probably continue with his charitable work, such as WellChild and the Invictus Games, so it’s important for everyone to be aware of the line between what he does privately and what might be perceived as official royal duties.
Nothing Changed In The UK
While the couple lived stateside, that wasn’t such a big issue. At one stage, Prince Harry suggested that being “half-in, half-out” would suit him.
That option was rejected in 2020, and judging by the latest statement from King Charles, it seems unlikely that the status quo will be changing anytime soon.
Security Decisions
Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that “Harry is waiting to hear the conclusion of the risk management board’s threat assessment.”
There’s a looming deadline, with RAVEC expected to reconsider the couple’s security arrangements this week and whether the Sussexes are entitled to taxpayer-funded security now that they live in the UK.
While it wasn’t directly aimed at RAVEC, the timing could raise questions. King Charles’ letter separates operational security from Buckingham Palace, directing those issues instead to the relevant police authorities.
Harry’s Camp Has Suspicions
Releasing the reminder now could be seen as sending a clear message to RAVEC that Harry and Meghan hold no official state role before the security committee reaches its decision.
ITV reported that, “The suspicion in Prince Harry’s camp is that the letter was issued and made public to try to influence the outcome of a meeting.”
While that might feel true to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the letter also makes it clear that operational security decisions are not being presented as a matter for Buckingham Palace.
Operational security is a matter for the relevant authorities, not Buckingham Palace.
Caught Off-Guard
Reportedly, the rather sudden reminder of their status caught Prince Harry and his wife off guard. After all, they don’t seem to have received much advance warning about the statement. Sources suggest that their team received the letter just over an hour before it was made public.
While it might cause more friction because of the clear boundaries drawn by the Palace, certain things should be taken into account.
According to People, the couple still get to keep their peerage titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Those titles were bestowed on them by the late Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in 2018, and stepping back as working royals did not strip them of the titles.
Notably, that doesn’t change the fact that they cannot use their HRH styles.
No New Legal Changes
The letter hasn’t broken any new legal ground, but its timing certainly sends a clear message about Harry and Meghan’s status in the UK.
The Sussexes may be back home, but the position of the official monarchy remains entirely unchanged.
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