Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'surprised' by King Charles' royal status bombshell | Royals Recap

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly caught off guard when King Charles clarified their royal status just weeks after the couple moved back to the UK. The couple's spokesperson told the BBC that their team received a letter from the monarch shortly before 2pm UK time on September 7th. Harry was reportedly contacted at 3.09pm and told that his team had responded to the letter with questions, only for the letter to be sent to the media two minutes later. The message, sent on Charles' behalf by the family's Lord Chamberlain, confirmed that Harry and Meghan will not become working royals again now that they have returned to Britain. The letter said there was no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. It also described the couple as private citizens with commercial and charitable interests. The clarification was sent to help avoid doubt or confusion, and was reportedly sent not only to Harry and Meghan's team, but also to the UK government, military, and Lord Lieutenants. The announcement came just two weeks after Harry and Meghan returned to the UK with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for an extended period. The couple had been living in Montecito, California since 2020, when they stepped back as working members of the royal family. Page Six previously reported that their return was motivated in part by a desire to be closer to Charles, who is battling cancer, and to give their children more of an opportunity to build relationships with Harry's family. But the move apparently came as a surprise to the King himself. Charles was reportedly only informed of Harry and Meghan's plans days before the news became public, and now royal sources say Harry has not spoken to his father since arriving back in the UK. According to the Mirror, Charles and the rest of the royal family were blindsided by Harry and Meghan's decision to move back. One source described the King as perplexed that Harry had not kept him informed, particularly The source also questioned how the family could understand the Sussexes' plans when Harry was allegedly keeping them in the dark about major decisions like moving back to Britain. That tension comes despite Charles making an effort to reconnect with the Sussexes early this year. In July, the King invited Harry, Meghan, and their children to his country home, Highgrove. Queen Camilla also attended the reunion, which marked the first time Charles had seen Archie and Lilibet in four years. Despite the family's return, Harry and Meghan will remain outside of working royal structure. The King's letter also ruled out the possibility of the couple having a half-in, half-out role, meaning they cannot carry out official royal duties while simultaneously pursuing their independent businesses. And the return has raised another major issue, security. Harry and Meghan returned to Britain without taxpayer-funded police protection and are reportedly waiting for an answer from the UK Home Office about whether they will receive long-term security. A friend close to the couple told Telegraph that the family's planned school runs could create the most danger for them. Harry has argued that his family's circumstances have changed significantly since his previous security assessment and that his concerns have become a major part of his ongoing dispute over protection in the UK. Royal commentators have also questioned exactly what the Sussexes' return means for their future. One theory is that the couple is trying to have the best of both worlds, maintaining their businesses and connections in the United States while also having access to Britain Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield described the move as more of a trial run than a definitive homecoming. The couple is reportedly looking for a home in Britain while continuing to maintain ties in Montecito, and their children are expected to attend a British school. But the Sussexes' return is unfolding at the same time as a major new chapter for another member of the royal family. Thirteen-year-old Prince George has officially started at Eton College. Prince William and Kate Middleton accompanied their eldest son to the prestigious Berkshire Boarding School on September 8th, braving the rain for his first day. George initially wore a black suit, blue tie, and brown shoes, matching his father, before changing into Eton's traditional uniform. He was later photographed in his official school portraits wearing a black tailcoat, waistcoat, pinstripe trousers, and stiff-collared white shirt, smiling as he posed for the cameras. The milestone is particularly significant for William, who also attended Eton and started there at the exact same age. Prince Harry attended the school as well, from 1998 to 2003. But George will experience his time at Eton in a very different world from the one his father and uncle knew. Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said George's biggest challenge may not be academics or making friends, but balancing his privacy with the reality that quote, every classmate has TikTok. George is also expected to have his own room, while remaining immersed in the school's social environment and athletics program. So as George begins his journey at a school steeped in royal history, Harry and Meghan are beginning a very different chapter back in Britain, one that despite their physical return does not include a return to royal duties.