The directive was communicated through a letter issued by the Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the Royal Household. The correspondence was intended to provide guidance and eliminate any ambiguity regarding the couple's standing within the monarchy. The document explicitly states that Harry and Meghan are not to be considered working members of the royal family and should not be addressed by the styles of His and Her Royal Highness.
Defining the Role of Private Citizens
The Royal Household’s statement emphasized that the couple’s current position is distinct from the responsibilities held by working royals, who represent the monarch and receive administrative support from the institution. The letter noted that the arrangement allows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex personal latitude regarding their financial independence and privacy, which the institution intends to respect.
According to the official communication, any charitable initiatives undertaken by the couple are considered personal matters conducted in a private capacity. The clarification underscores that their status is now effectively that of private citizens with their own commercial and charitable interests. This formal stance reinforces the changes implemented in 2020, when Queen Elizabeth II removed the couple's public funding, police protection, and use of royal titles.
Security and Future Status
The return of the couple to the UK has prompted questions regarding their security arrangements. Currently, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), an independent body overseen by the British interior ministry, is responsible for determining which individuals receive state-funded police protection. This committee evaluates threat levels for royals, politicians, and other high-profile figures.
Prince Harry previously engaged in legal proceedings against the interior ministry following the decision to downgrade his security status after his initial departure from royal duties. While he was unsuccessful in his legal challenge to reverse that decision, the recent permanent relocation of the family to the Cotswolds suggests that Ravec may be required to re-evaluate the risk level associated with their presence in the country. As of now, the official position remains that the couple operates outside the scope of the working royal family.
