Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were disappointed by the King’s decision to brand them as private citizens and instead hoped to be known as “public figures”, it has been reported.
Buckingham Palace released an official memorandum on Monday clarifying that although the couple have returned to the UK, they should be treated strictly as private citizens and not as working royals.
Royal aides said that the directive aligns fully with the couple’s previously stated wish to live as private citizens following the Sandringham agreement in 2020, when the pair formally ended their royal duties and moved to California.
But reports in the MailOnline on Wednesday suggest the couple were unhappy with the memorandum and would have preferred the King to refer to them as “public figures”.
Clarifying the couple’s status, the document reads: “In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” stating that their philanthropic work is conducted in a personal capacity, entirely separate from the royal household. But reports suggest the Sussexes feel this does not reflect their true status as part of the Royal family in a private capacity.
“The Sussexes prefer the term “public figures”, and would have liked an acknowledgement that, on a personal level, they remained members of the Royal Family, despite no longer receiving public funding,” a briefing received by the paper reads.
The report also claims the pair were caught “off guard” by the document, and had not had a chance to “clarify one or two points” with the King.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes previously told the BBC that the pair “were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.” The broadcaster said that royal sources had told them the couple were made aware of the letter before it was made public.
The Sussexes returned to the UK on 26 August after it was revealed earlier that month that they were enrolling their children, Archie and Lillibet, into British schools. In the run up to their return, the King was said to be glad to be able to spend more time with the family, but remained adamant they would not be working royals and there was no half-in, half-out option.
The letter said: “Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that the following information be shared.
“It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of The Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of The Royal Family.
“This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.”
The Independent has contacted the Sussexes’ representative for comment.
