King Charles III has authorised the release of a formal letter of guidance that reaffirms that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remain non-working members of the Royal Family. Despite their return to Britain.
They must be treated as private citizens.
The directive went out on Monday, after public, military and state bodies sought clarification of the couple’s status on their return to the UK.
The letter was issued on the King’s authority and written by Lord Richard Benyon, the Lord Chamberlain and head of the Royal Household.
Senior officials across the British Government, the military branches and the regional Lord Lieutenants received it. A copy went to Harry’s representative team.
On August 26, 2026, Harry and Meghan returned to the UK with their two children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
The family flew privately from California and landed at Birmingham Airport. They then moved to a non-royal residence in the Cotswolds.
Their change of residence has not altered their institutional standing, the monarch’s guidance confirms.
They remain outside the working Royal Family and continue under the rules that govern private citizens.
That position follows the framework set when they stepped back from royal duties in January 2020.
They “will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties.” That is what Buckingham Palace said then. It also said they “will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.”
The couple retain their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their HRH styles remain in abeyance and unused. Neither holds official military appointments or royal patronages.
Their charitable and commercial work is conducted in a private capacity.
The couple’s return to Britain does not automatically restore taxpayer-funded, round-the-clock security.
Security remains subject to independent processes.
Separately, official inquiries concerning Harry and Meghan are routed through their independent external office rather than Buckingham Palace.
For the September 2026 academic term, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are attending a local British prep school.
