The King explains that Harry and Meghan do not represent the royal family

This clarification came in a letter signed by Lord Bennion, the chief royal protocol officer, and addressed to senior officials in the government, the army, and the king’s representatives in the provinces, after the couple and their two children returned to Britain last month for a stay described as “prolonged,” coinciding with their two children’s enrollment in a British school this week.

The letter, which was sent at the direction of the king, stated that the couple “do not represent the king” and “are not working members of the royal family,” stressing that their status “is similar to that of ordinary citizens such as those with commercial and charitable interests.” She also stressed that the use of their titles such as “His Royal Highness” is still pending and not being used.

“The Duke and Duchess’ charitable work is a personal matter for them and is undertaken in their private capacity,” the letter said. This means that even when Prince Harry participates in his well-known charitable projects such as the Invictus Games, he does so in his personal capacity and not as a British prince. These rules are consistent with agreements concluded in 2020 when the couple stepped down from working royal life.

This written clarification came after repeated calls for the king to set ground rules for the couple, and also ahead of a crucial meeting of the Royal Executive Committee and VIPs, responsible for making decisions on royal security, expected to be held on Tuesday. The timing of the announcement raised concern in the Sussex camp, with a spokesman for them expressing their surprise that they were not informed in advance, saying: “We were a little surprised that we were not informed of this in advance.”

Prince Harry, who lost his automatic right to taxpayer-funded security protection after stepping down from royal duties, continues to press the Home Secretary and the chair of the committee for answers about his family's security situation. A threat assessment was conducted last July, but its results have not yet been communicated.