King Charles’ Bombshell Letter to Harry and Meghan Sparks Royal Row — Their Surprised Response Revealed
Prince Harry and Meghan were “surprised” by King Charles’ public letter stating that they wouldn’t be returning to royal duties, according to their spokesman.
On Monday the King sent a letter, via the Lord Chamberlain – the most senior staff member of the Royal household – to the Duke of Sussex’s office.
In it, the King made clear the His and Her Royal Highness titles remain out of bounds to the couple.
In addition, the letter reasserts the couple are “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests”.
As such, they would not be expected to carry out any official duties on behalf of the family.
In that way, their geography may have changed – from the US to the UK – but their official circumstances have not.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess said: “We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.”
Meghan and Harry will not be returning as working royals, the King said in a bombshell letter. Picture: Kirsty O’Connor / POOL / AFP
However palace sources told the Daily Mail that it was not correct that the couple had not been informed about the letter, only that they were not made aware of its contents.
The letter was also sent by Charles to the UK government, the military and other UK institutions.
“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.
The couple’s spokesman said they were ‘surprised’ by the letter. Picture: Chris Jackson/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.”
It’s been reported that the Meghan will, at least for a time, keep a low profile in the UK as she settles into her new home.
Friends of the couple told The Sun they were “trying to avoid being spotted” while they focus on settling their two children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, before school starts.
Meghan is already planning ways to support new causes alongside ones she previously worked with, they added.
This includes Smart Works, a charity which supports unemployed and vulnerable women looking for jobs.
