‘Surprised’ Prince Harry, Meghan hit back at King Charles’ letter about their royal status
· Toronto Sun
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Prince Harry and Meghan were caught off guard by King Charles’ letter indicating they would not be considered working royals nor would they be allowed to carry out official engagements now that they are back in the U.K.
That puts a bit of a damper on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s return to Britain, as the couple appeared eager to work on their charitable endeavours, which they can and likely will do — just not as representatives of the Royal Family.
A senior palace official stated in a guidance letter released Monday the official positions of Harry and Meghan, clarifying that the couple are not allowed to use the titles of His and Her Royal Highness and the pair are considered “private citizens.”
It also makes clear that any engagements carried out by Harry and Meghan, as a couple or individually, will be done in a private capacity, not as royal family members.
Blindsided by Dad
The letter, issued on behalf of the King, was said to have been shared with the Sussexes’ team, and then released publicly in the interest of “transparency.”
However, a spokesperson for the couple said on Tuesday that Harry and Meghan were “a little surprised not have been told about this in advance,” according to the BBC.
The Sussex’s team received the King’s letter at 1:59 p.m. U.K. time and they sent back questions 20 minutes later, including whether the guidance had already been circulated as they wanted to inform the couple and get clarification on some other matters, sources close to the couple told the outlet.
By 3:09 p.m., the couple’s team was able to get hold of Harry, who had been in a meeting, to inform him about the letter and his team’s questions, but at 3:11 p.m., they were told the letter had been sent out.
The guidance was issued after a “number of requests” for clarity about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their return, palace sources said.
The King’s letter noted that any questions “from official and State organizations about the courtesies which should be extended to the Duke and Duchess,” specifically where public funds are involved, should be directed to Buckingham Palace.
Will security be granted to the Sussexes?
Harry’s security concerns regarding his wife and children could be decided this week, though the Palace has said that it’s for the Royal and VIP Executive Committee to decide.
The committee is understood to be meeting this week, possibly as soon as Tuesday, and could be a significant step for Harry, who has been battling for years for the reinstatement of the taxpayer-funded official security for his family when they are in the U.K.
The couple relocated to the U.K. last month after living in Montecito, Calif., for more than six years. They are believed to be staying in the Cotswolds where their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, will attend a local private school.
Charles was reportedly only told of the move four days before the news was announced, with the family arriving two weeks later.