Harry and Meghan ‘surprised’ by King Charles III’s letter keeping them outside the royal family

Harry and Meghan said they were “a little surprised” that they had not been informed in advance about a letter clarifying their status as private citizens outside the active monarchy, according to the BBC.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the broadcaster that the couple had not known the letter would be made public. Palace sources, however, maintained that Harry and Meghan had been told the letter would be sent. It was signed by a representative of King Charles III “under his direction.”

“

A little surprised that we were not informed of this in advance.

The letter was sent to the couple’s team, government departments, military authorities and the media. It said Harry and Meghan would not be entitled to use the titles His or Her Royal Highness. “There will be no change in the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their treatment as His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness remains suspended and will not be used,” the king’s letter said, explaining that it responded to requests for clarification.

“

There will be no change in the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their treatment as His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness remains suspended and will not be used.

The letter also said the couple had chosen independence from royal duties in January 2020, along with financial independence and privacy, and that those choices would continue to be respected. It reaffirmed that Harry and Meghan remained “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests” while living in the United Kingdom and that the Sandringham Agreement remained in force.

Harry, Meghan and their two children returned to the United Kingdom on August 26 after six years in California. The report said the children had been enrolled in a British school and that the couple was seeking to move to the Cotswolds, in southwest England.

“

Private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.