Buckingham Palace confirms: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain private

Buckingham Palace has stated in an official statement that the Duke and Duke of Sussex, who have returned to England from California, will continue to maintain a private status and will not return to the circle of full-time representative members of the royal family. It also emphasizes that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan still cannot claim the title “Royal Highness”.

The chief chamberlain (Lord Chamberlain) of King Charles III, who heads the royal household and is comparable in rank to a secretary of state, reminds in his letter that Prince Harry and his wife, i.e. the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, “as is well known, withdrew from their representative duties” on behalf of the royal family in January 2020. It goes on to say that “the Duke and Duchess’ charitable commitments are a personal matter for both of them” and that they are “undertaken in their capacity as private citizens”.

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Prince Harry wants to continue to be charitable

The passage is aimed at assuming that at least Prince Harry will endeavor to continue the engagements that he has maintained from California in recent years. This includes, above all, his commitment to disabled soldiers, for whom he launched the Invictus Games sports competition, which is scheduled to take place in Birmingham next year. Duchess Meghan is also still associated with a charity initiative in England that is active against professional discrimination against women.

According to the BBC, the Chamberlain's letter was sent to the media, but also to official bodies, military authorities and the ceremonial officials, the Lord Lieutenants, who serve the monarch in the British counties. Among other things, they have the function of preparing visits by members of the royal family and ensuring that they take place.

For all of them, the announcement from the royal household states that all questions about how Harry and Meghan should be received at public appearances, but especially aspects in which public resources have to be used, should be directed to Buckingham Palace. Their status is “comparable to private individuals who pursue economic and charitable interests.”

The question of security for Harry and his family remains unclear

Another note concerns the personal security of the ducal family, which has been a subject of dispute between Harry and the English security authorities for years. The king's second son had tried several courts in London to ensure that he and his relatives retained the full personal protection that the family enjoyed during their membership of the active royal family.

However, the commission responsible for the royal family and other public figures at risk initially decided on a “case-by-case review” of the protection status; However, this classification is apparently to be examined again.