Buckingham Palace has issued a formal statement clarifying that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not resume official royal duties following their relocation to the United Kingdom, reinforcing a position established six years ago when they stepped back from public-facing roles.
The clarification, conveyed through a letter sent on behalf of King Charles by the Lord Chamberlain—a senior Palace official—has been distributed to Prince Harry's representatives, government departments, military officials, and Lord Lieutenants across the country. The communication underscores that despite their return from California with their two children, the Sussexes remain private citizens pursuing commercial and charitable endeavours independently of the Crown.
According to reports on the couple's relocation, Prince Archie is now 7 years old and Princess Lilibet is 5, with both children enrolled in British schools ahead of the September term. The family has established themselves in a private residence outside London rather than occupying a royal property.
What does the Palace letter say about their status?
The formal communication reaffirms that Harry and Meghan cannot use the titles "HRH" (His and Her Royal Highness) and explicitly states they operate as "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests." Any activities undertaken by the couple will be conducted in a personal capacity and will not represent the Royal Family or the Sovereign.
The letter references the 2020 agreement reached when the Sussexes initially departed the UK—commonly known as the Sandringham Agreement—which explicitly prohibited a "half-in and half-out" arrangement. This framework prevented them from maintaining working royal status while simultaneously developing their own business ventures.
"It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of the Royal Family,"the letter states, before adding that
"The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity."
Why is this clarification being issued now?
The Palace's decision to formally communicate this position reflects the need to establish clear boundaries with government officials, military representatives, and Lord Lieutenants—individuals who might otherwise be involved in coordinating royal visits and engagements. By sending this letter, the institution ensures that any public activities by Harry and Meghan are understood as private undertakings rather than official royal business.
The timing coincides with the couple's recent arrival in the UK to establish themselves as private residents in the Cotswolds, following their six-year period in California, during which their entertainment and lifestyle ventures struggled to gain significant traction.
What are Harry and Meghan's plans in the UK?
According to media reports following their relocation, Meghan is expected to continue operating her As Ever company from the United Kingdom, while Harry is anticipated to dedicate increased time to charity work based in Britain. The couple's move is being characterised as an extended stay rather than a permanent departure from their American base, with reports indicating they intend to retain both their Montecito home in California and a property in Portugal.
What happens next?
The immediate focus will be the beginning of the school term in September, when Archie and Lilibet are scheduled to commence their education at British institutions. The family's longer-term arrangements remain described as an extended UK residency, with no reported timeline for any potential changes to their royal status or official duties.
The Palace's formal restatement of the 2020 agreement demonstrates the institution's commitment to maintaining clear distinctions between working members of the Royal Family and private citizens, regardless of their proximity to the Crown or their residence within the United Kingdom.
