The King of England, Charles III, has written in a letter that the Dukes of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, are "private citizens" and that, despite their recent return to the United Kingdom after six years living abroad, they do not act on behalf of the royal family.
According to the British broadcaster BBC, the monarch has sent this letter to Prince Harry himself, to the Government, to military commanders, and to representatives of the Crown to clarify what functions and limits they have now that they have decided to settle again in British territory with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The document, signed by the Lord Chamberlain of the House on behalf of the king, details that they will not be able to use the title of HRH --SAR or His Royal Highness-- nor the titles of Her (she) and His (he) Royal Highness.
Harry and Meghan unexpectedly communicated their return to the United Kingdom at the end of August to those responsible for Charles's House in charge of coordinating the official agenda and the dialogue with the Executive.
The letter is interpreted as a sharp warning to prevent them from being considered or presenting themselves as representatives of the British royal family, a condition reserved for the eleven 'working royals', that is, the members who carry out official duties: the sovereign, their spouse, the king's siblings, their children, their partners, and their descendants with representative functions.
In 2020, the Sussexes left the country after agreeing to the so-called Sandringham Agreement, by which Harry and Meghan ceased to be part of the "main royalty" and agreed to be financially self-sufficient.
"It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess renounced to assume duties as representatives of the Sovereign and are not official members of the Royal Family," explains the new royal letter. "The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for both of them and they carry it out privately," it states.
The text adds that any issue regarding the organization of events or receptions for the Dukes of Sussex must be raised to Buckingham Palace, "particularly when it is necessary to use public funds."
Regarding protection, the letter specifies that "any operational issue regarding security should continue to be referred to the relevant police authorities."
Enrique has publicly stated that he does not have adequate police protection in the United Kingdom, while Buckingham Palace maintains that this matter falls under the Executive Commission for Royalty and VIP (Ravec), the body that decides on the security of members of the royal family and other personalities.