Buckingham Palace has issued a formal clarification regarding the status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their recent move back to the UK from California with their children, Archie and Lilibet. A letter sent on behalf of King Charles by the Lord Chamberlain, a senior Palace official, explicitly states that the couple will not be working royals and are not permitted to carry out official engagements.
The correspondence, which has been distributed to Prince Harry’s team, government departments, military officials, and Lord Lieutenants, reinforces the terms of the 2020 “Sandringham Agreement.” This arrangement, established when the couple first stepped back from their roles, prohibits a “half-in and half-out” status, ensuring they cannot pursue independent commercial interests while representing the monarchy.
The letter emphasizes that the Duke and Duchess are “private citizens” and are not entitled to use the titles of “His and Her Royal Highness.” It further clarifies that any charitable work they undertake is a personal matter conducted in a private capacity. The Palace has requested that any inquiries from organizations regarding the reception of the Sussexes, particularly those involving potential requests for public funds, be directed to Buckingham Palace.
This communication arrives as the couple settles back into life in the UK, with expectations that they will support various charities, including the Invictus Games scheduled for Birmingham next year. While the couple has maintained a low profile, Prince Harry was recently pictured at a London TV and podcast studio, marking his first public appearance since their return.
The Palace noted that the decision to circulate the letter was made in the interest of transparency to prevent future leaks. The document also addresses the ongoing, unresolved disputes regarding the couple’s security in the UK. It specifies that any operational security concerns must be directed to the relevant police authorities, noting that such matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which determines security arrangements for public figures and members of the Royal Family.
Prince Harry has previously voiced concerns regarding the adequacy of his police protection in the UK. The current situation follows an acrimonious departure in 2020, a period the couple documented in their Netflix series. Since then, they have established financial independence through various projects, including the publication of Prince Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” and Meghan’s online food venture, “As Ever.” There have also been reports suggesting Meghan may be considering a return to acting.
Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been contacted for comment regarding the Palace’s latest statement. The report also notes that who are the monarch’s local representatives, and government staff are often involved in royal visits and engagements, lord Lieutenants. The report also notes that as they settle in the UK and support their charities, this comes ahead of what are likely to be public appearances by the Sussexes this autumn. The report also notes that but the first picture of Prince Harry since coming back to the UK appears to have been posted on the social media account of Tower Bridge Studios in London, the couple have kept a low profile. The report also notes that the message from the King emphasises that the position agreed in 2020 when the Sussexes left the UK – the so-called Sandringham Agreement – is still in place. The report also notes that and are no longer working members of the Royal Family,” the letter says, it is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign. The report also notes that in a spirit of transparency, rather than risk it emerging in leaks, palace sources have suggested it was better to make the Lord Chamberlain’s letter public.
