Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not return to royal duties despite moving back to the UK, with King Charles confirming that the couple will remain private citizens.
A letter sent on behalf of the King by the family’s Lord Chamberlain reportedly made clear that the Sussexes cannot take up official engagements for the monarchy. Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, also cannot use their His and Her Royal Highness titles and remain “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” a senior palace official told the BBC.
The decision means their 2020 arrangement, under which they stepped back from royal duties, remains unchanged even though they have now returned to England with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
The letter also rules out the possibility of the couple having a “half-in and half-out” role, where they could carry out some royal duties while continuing their independent business activities.
“The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” the letter stated.
Palace sources said copies of the letter were sent to Harry’s team, the UK government, the military and lord-lieutenants.
The development came as Harry made his first public appearance in the UK since the family’s return. He was seen at Tower Bridge Studios, where the London audio and visual studio shared photos of him signing its wall.
“Thank you Prince Harry for choosing Tower Bridge Studios!” the company wrote, adding that it looked forward to welcoming him back.
Harry and Meghan returned to England about two weeks ago with their children for an “extended period”, six years after they stepped down as working royals.
