Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be on the verge of leaving the UK just two weeks after returning, according to royal commentator Dickie Arbiter.
Speaking on TalkTV with host Jeremy Kyle, Arbiter suggested the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may not stay in Britain long-term. The comments follow reports that the couple were "surprised" by the King's formal reaffirmation that they will be treated as "private citizens".
Return to Montecito for Christmas
Jeremy Kyle asked Arbiter whether the King's letter via the Lord Chamberlain would mean the couple will not last long in the UK, and how long they might stay. Arbiter hinted the Sussexes could depart earlier than expected.
He responded: "I'm not sure they are here long-term. I firmly believe that they will go back to Montecito for Christmas because that's where her mother is. Everybody talks about reconciliation with the King but what about reconciliation with Thomas Markle."
King's letter on royal status
King Charles instructed the Lord Chamberlain, the Royal Household's most senior officer, to write to key stakeholders within the Government and the military outlining guidelines on the couple's status, confirming they could not use their "HRH" titles.
Lord Benyon's letter reinforces the couple's "current" status as non-working royals. It reads: "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 letter adds: "Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used." It states their charitable work "is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity", adding: "In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."
Children expected to start school in UK
The contents of the letter were disclosed to the media at 3.06pm on Monday. It is understood the contents were shared with Harry and Meghan's team almost an hour before at 1.59pm.
Meanwhile, the couple's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are expected to be starting school in the UK near to the family's reported countryside retreat.
