King Charles issued a communication to high-ranking British officials on Monday, officially confirming that his youngest son, Prince Harry, and Meghan, are considered non-working members of the royal family since their return to the U.K. The directive, shared with Harry’s team and distributed as instructions to senior government and military personnel, emphasized that following Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from official royal duties in 2020, they are no longer active members of the royal family.
The letter outlined that their status as non-working royals allows them a level of personal freedom in terms of financial independence and privacy protection, distinct from the state and royal responsibilities carried out by the working members of the royal family. It was emphasized that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain in their current status, with their charitable endeavors being a personal matter conducted in a private capacity.
In essence, their standing is likened to that of private citizens with interests in commercial and charitable ventures. Prince Harry and his family returned to the U.K. at the end of the previous month, marking a return after six years of relinquishing royal duties and relocating to the United States.
The couple’s departure for the U.S. in 2020 signified their move away from official royal obligations to pursue independent career paths. Despite their physical relocation, their presence remained prominent in the media, with Prince Harry publicly expressing grievances against the royal family, tabloid press, and government for various issues concerning neglect, intrusion on his privacy, and security concerns.