King Charles has reaffirmed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's status as non-working royals following their return to the UK.
In a "letter of guidance" to senior stakeholders made public on Monday and sent on behalf of the monarch, the Lord Chamberlain stated there is "no change" to the Sussexes' status, and their Royal Highness titles should not be used.
Lord Benyon, a top Palace official, added that Harry and Meghan remain "private citizens" following their move back to Britain on 26 August with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.
The message also confirmed that the couple will operate separately from the Royal Household. The letter has been shared with the Duke and Duchess.
© InstagramIt comes after HELLO! revealed last week that one of Meghan's UK charities, Smart Works, was "excited" to welcome her back to the UK, while other reports over the weekend suggested she could be eyeing up further work in the charitable sector.
The Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020 for personal and financial reasons but returned to the UK at the end of last month, with their children enrolled in British schools and with rumours rife as to the reason behind the unexpected development.
King Charles's full letter after Harry and Meghan's return
The letter read: "Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for Guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that the following information be shared.
"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.
© UK Press via Getty Images"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.
"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 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. Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant Police authorities."
Signed "The Right Honourable The Lord Benyon GCVO", the letter concluded: "All correspondence and administrative questions relating to the couple should be sent directly to their office, which will continue to operate separately from The Royal Household."
Meghan and Harry's agreement for leaving the royal family
Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in January 2020, completing their final official engagement at the Commonwealth Service that March.
At the time, the so-called "Sandringham agreement" stated that they could not be "half in, half out" royals, in accordance with the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
© Justin Goff Photos/Getty ImagesPalace communications said Harry and Meghan would be working to become financially independent. The couple moved to Montecito in California and signed a $100 million deal with Netflix, alongside a podcast agreement with Spotify.
The couple launched their non-profit organisation, Archewell, now known as Archewell Philanthropies, while Harry released his memoir, Spare, in 2023.
Following their decision not to return as members of the royal family in 2021, a statement from Buckingham Palace said: "While all are saddened by their decision, the Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family."
