King Charles III, on 7/9, authorized the Lord Chamberlain, a senior royal official, to issue a letter on his behalf. The letter announced that Prince Harry and Meghan would not use royal titles after returning to live in the UK.

"In summary, their role is only as ordinary citizens with commercial and charitable activities," the letter stated. It reconfirmed that any activities undertaken by Harry and Meghan are personal and do not represent the royal family.

King Charles III visited the British Museum in London on 2/9. Photo: AP.

The letter was distributed to major institutions, including parliament and the military. Its tone and broad distribution were interpreted by some British royal commentators as a clear, deliberate reminder from King Charles to his son and daughter-in-law.

The letter reiterated that Prince Harry and Meghan withdrew from representative duties for the monarch and ceased working for the royal family in 1/2020. Consequently, upon their return to the UK, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not use the title "Your Royal Highness". It also specified that media inquiries regarding their activities in the UK should be directed to their team, not the royal family.

Prince Harry and his family returned to the UK late last month, six years after relinquishing royal duties and relocating to the United States.

"This letter offers no new information," Afua Hagan, a British royal commentator, told Newsweek. "We have known for a long time that they are not undertaking royal duties, so I wonder if a reiteration is necessary. Perhaps the Sussexes are planning a public event this week, prompting the royal family to clarify boundaries. Regardless, everyone's stance is now clear."

Harry and Meghan in Sydney, Australia, on 17/4. Photo: Reuters.

British media reported that Meghan is preparing to resume work with organizations she collaborated with during her time as a working royal, including Smart Works, a charity supporting women with job interview preparation.

Ingrid Seward, author of the royal biography My Mother and I, stated that King Charles's official written guidance prevents Prince Harry and Meghan's charitable visits from being mistaken for official public duties. Such misunderstandings, she noted, could displease working members of the royal family.

"The letter is clear, and everyone needs to understand it correctly," she said. "Without this clarification, it would cause annoyance and overshadow the positions of working royals, especially Prince William and Princess Kate, who bear official responsibilities."

By Hong Hanh (Sources: SMH, Newsweek)