Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were caught off guard by the timing of a letter sent by King Charles III regarding their status as working members of the royal family.
News broke on Monday, September 7, that a letter written by senior officer of the royal household Lord Chamberlain on Charles’ behalf was sent to Harry’s team, clarifying his and Meghan’s roles amid their return to the U.K.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes told the BBC that the pair were “a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.”
According to the outlet, the couple’s team are believed to have only seen the letter about an hour before it made headlines. By the time they were able to reach Harry, 41, the letter was reportedly almost published.
The letter described Harry and Meghan, 45, as being “akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” noting that their charitable work “is a personal matter for them both.”
“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 continued. “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.”
The letter added that the pair’s “styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.”
Harry and Meghan stepped away from the royal spotlight in 2020, moving to California, where they raised their two children: Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
In August, news broke that the couple were planning to move back overseas, with their kids scheduled to begin school in the U.K. Harry and Meghan are expected to keep their home in Montecito, California, as well as a vacation property in Portugal.
Harry’s relationship with his family fractured amid his royal exit, but former royal butler Grant Harrold predicted that Charles, 77, may have played a role in his son’s decision to return home.
“I think behind closed doors Harry and the King have been working hard to heal their relationship,” Harrold exclusively told Us last month. “Only so much can be done when they live so far apart, so I think this is Harry making his dad his priority, which is really nice to see.”
He added, “I think the king will be delighted to have his son and daughter-in-law closer to home. He’s well aware that their rift will never be healed when they’re only seeing each other once a twice a year, this is the next step that’s needed if they want to heal their relationship.”
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