Politics
King Charles III of the United Kingdom has once again made it clear that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are non-working members of the Royal Family and will not undertake royal duties despite returning to the UK.
King Charles III of the United Kingdom has once again made it clear that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are non-working members of the Royal Family and will not undertake royal duties despite returning to the UK.
According to the Associated Press (AP), a letter sent by the King to senior government officials stated that the couple would not use their royal titles in an official capacity, as has been the case since they stepped down from royal duties in 2020. The letter said that any charitable activities undertaken by Harry and Meghan would be carried out in a private capacity, while practical decisions regarding their security would remain under the jurisdiction of the relevant police authorities.
The letter was sent by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the Royal Household. It was also circulated to senior government and military officials, as well as the King’s representatives across the country, known as Lord-Lieutenants.
The letter stated: “To avoid any doubt or ambiguity, the King has directed that this information be shared.” Although the letter primarily confirms Harry and Meghan’s current status, the decision to issue it and make it public suggests that some observers within royal circles are concerned that the couple’s position could allow them to establish a kind of parallel royal center, potentially creating a situation of competition with the current working members of the Royal Family.
Security is particularly sensitive because Prince Harry has been involved in a long-running legal and political dispute with the government, demanding that police protection at public expense be restored. The security arrangements were withdrawn after Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties. A government panel known as the Royal and VIP Executive Committee will decide whether the couple should once again be provided with round-the-clock police protection.
