King Charles III has issued formal guidance clarifying that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are to be treated strictly as private citizens during their time in the UK, according to a memorandum released by Buckingham Palace on Monday.
The directive, issued by the Lord Chamberlain on the King’s behalf, states that the couple’s position is ‘akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests’ and does not entitle them to the privileges or duties of working royals. The memorandum aligns with the Sandringham agreement of 2020, when the Sussexes formally stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California.
Royal aides confirmed the memorandum reflects the couple’s previously stated wish to live privately, though reports suggest the Sussexes had hoped for a different designation.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Buckingham Palace issued formal guidance on Monday clarifying that Harry and Meghan are to be treated as private citizens during their UK visits, with no role as working royals.
The Sussexes’ team disputes the framing, with sources claiming they prefer the term ‘public figures’ and argue that formal guidance contradicts their desired status as private citizens.
Deeper Dive & Context
The Memorandum’s Contents
The Lord Chamberlain’s letter, released on behalf of the King, states:
“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
The document reiterates that the Sussexes’ status has not changed since the 2020 Sandringham agreement, when they stepped away from royal duties. The guidance applies regardless of their location, including during their current visit to the UK.
The Sussexes’ Response
Sources close to Harry and Meghan objected to the ‘private citizens’ designation, arguing that the term implies a need for formal clarification—contradicting their stated desire to live privately. One briefing claimed:
“If that were the case, such formal guidance would not be required.”
The Sussexes’ team also suggested they would have preferred an acknowledgment that they remain members of the Royal Family on a personal level, despite no longer receiving public funding or performing official duties.
Media Tensions Resurface
The dispute over the Sussexes’ status coincides with renewed tensions between the couple and the UK media. Newsweek reports that recent tabloid coverage—including a Daily Mirror front-page claim that Harry and King Charles had not spoken since his return to the UK—was inaccurate. According to Newsweek, Harry and Charles did speak within the first week of his return, contradicting the newspaper’s reporting.
This follows a correction won by the Sussexes in August over an inaccurate Daily Mail story alleging they had visited celebrity friends during their UK stay. The couple has previously sued the Daily Mirror over historic phone-hacking allegations.
Background: The Sandringham Agreement
The 2020 Sandringham agreement marked the Sussexes’ formal withdrawal from royal duties. At the time, they stated their intention to become financially independent and step back from official engagements. The agreement was intended to allow them to split their time between the UK and North America while maintaining a lower public profile.
Since then, the couple has faced ongoing scrutiny over their relationship with the Royal Family and the British media, which they have publicly criticized as hostile and agenda-driven.
What’s Next
The formal guidance from Buckingham Palace appears to solidify the Sussexes’ non-royal status during UK visits, though their team’s objections suggest the matter may not be fully resolved. The couple’s return to the UK—still in its early stages—will test how they navigate both family dynamics and media relations moving forward.