SUSSEXES’ SHOCK — HARRY & MEGHAN “SURPRISED” BY KING CHARLES STATING THEY’RE NOT WORKING ROYALS… AS FEARS GROW OVER POSSIBLE LINK TO SECURITY ROW
SUSSEXES’ SHOCK Harry & Meghan ‘surprised’ by King stating they’re NOT working royals – as Sussexes fear it’s ‘linked to security row’
HARRY and Meghan said they were “surprised” by the King’s bombshell letter stating they are not working royals after their return to the UK.
In his statement, the King said that Harry, 41, and Meghan’s, 45, position in the UK is “akin to private citizens“, with the royal couple fearing it is linked to their ongoing security row.
The King laid down the law in guidance about Harry and Meghan’s positionsCredit: Getty
Prince Harry was spotted for the first time in the UK outside a central London podcast studio
The couple’s spokesperson has now claimed that they were blindsided by the letter and were not told before it was released publicly.
However, the Daily Mail reports that palace sources claim Harry and Meghan are “incorrect” and had been sent a copy of the letter before it was published.
The couple were not consulted on the contents of the statement, however.
The King’s statement was issued ahead of a meeting of the royal and VIP Executive Committee [Ravec], which will decide if the couple are entitled to state security.
The King’s strongly worded letter explained that Harry and Meghan are still not working royalsCredit: Getty
Archie and Lilibet will be starting school in the UKCredit: Refer to Caption
Prince Harry and Meghan are understood to be concerned that the King’s letter was issued on the eve of the all-important meeting.
Harry was seen in public for the first time since returning to the UK yesterday – attending a podcast studio in central London.
Both he and Meghan will soon begin public engagements and are pushing for 24/7 police protection amid an ongoing security row.
The Home Office committee responsible for deciding if they are entitled to royal security are reportedly gathering today.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes said: “We were a little surprised not to have been told about this [the letter] in advance.”
It comes after The Sun’s world exclusive revealing that Harry and Meghan were returning to the UK with their children earlier this month.
Issuing guidance on the couple’s return yesterday, the King said: “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.
“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.”
We previously reported that the Duchess of Sussex will be “rekindling” her work with UK charities as she starts life back in Britain.
The couple are understood to be trying to iron out a new “fair” structure for coverage of their engagements and public work.
Though, they withdrew from the Royal Rota system in 2020 they will continue to take on public facing engagements and charity work.
Meghan is already planning ways to support new causes alongside ones she previously worked with, friends said.
Friends of the couple added that they “trying to avoid being spotted” while they focus on settling their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, before school starts, however.
