King Charles III clarifies Harry and Meghan's status after their UK return

After Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle returned to the UK, the public had questions about their new status. To remove any uncertainty, King Charles III directed that their position be clarified officially in a special letter. The key conclusion: Harry and Meghan remain "non-working" members of the royal family.

Who sent the letter, and to whom?

The letter was sent on the King's behalf by the Lord Chamberlain — the most senior official in the royal household. It went to senior government and military figures and to lord lieutenants. As the letter puts it, "to help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that (this) information be shared."

What does it say about the couple's status?

The key point: Prince Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the royal family. As before, they will not use their royal titles — just as they have refrained from doing since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. Any charity work will be carried out in a private capacity.

What about security and funding?

The letter leaves security matters to the relevant bodies. Operational security decisions rest with the relevant police agencies, and whether to restore round-the-clock police protection is for the government panel RAVEC. The couple lost their publicly funded police protection when they gave up their royal roles. Questions about courtesies involving public funds, the letter says, should be directed to Buckingham Palace.

Why it matters

The letter effectively confirms that Harry and Meghan's return to Britain does not restore any official roles in the monarchy. For Russian-speaking readers in the UK it is a point of reference amid the rumours — the couple's status remains what it has been since 2020: private individuals, not active representatives of the Crown. According to the news agency AP, the letter was made public in early September 2026.