King Charles has made clear that Prince Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family and private citizens following their recent move back to Britain, according to a formal letter issued on his behalf.
The letter, dated 7 September 2026 and sent by the Lord Chamberlain, was distributed to government departments, the military, Lord Lieutenants and Harry’s team. It followed requests for guidance after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned from California with their children, Archie and Lilibet, in late August.
“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 states. “This position… will continue to be fully respected.”
It adds: “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.”
Any questions from official organisations about courtesies, especially those involving public funds, should be directed to Buckingham Palace, the letter says. The couple’s office will continue to operate separately from the Royal Household.
The clarification reaffirms the 2020 Sandringham Agreement that ended any prospect of a hybrid role combining commercial activity with official royal duties. Harry remains fifth in line to the throne, but neither he nor Meghan will carry out engagements on behalf of the Crown.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes said the couple were “surprised” by the letter and its public release. The statement came as the family settles into life in the UK and prepares for private charitable and commercial activities this autumn.
The move ends six years of residence in the United States, where the couple pursued independent careers after stepping back from royal duties. Palace sources indicated the guidance was intended to remove any doubt about protocol as the new royal diary period begins.
