The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly expressed a preference for being known as "public figures" rather than "private citizens" after King Charles referred to them in a letter.
The couple returned to life in the UK last month and are said to be settling in Oxfordshire with their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, enrolled in local schools. Harry's homecoming prompted King Charles to clarify the Sussexes' position and titles.
King's letter clarifies royal titles
In the letter, sent to senior government and military officials, Charles said Harry and Meghan would continue to refrain from using formal royal titles such as "his royal highness" and "her royal highness", as they have done since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020. The letter added that any charity work carried out by the couple would be done in a "private capacity".
The letter, released to media on Monday (September 7), allegedly took the Duke and Duchess aback. Reports from multiple UK news outlets have emerged claiming Harry and Meghan want to be known as "public figures" instead.
Preference for 'public figures' label
The Sussexes would prefer "public figures" as they feel it would "acknowledge that, on a personal level, they remained members of the Royal Family, despite no longer receiving public funding", according to a briefing note from the couple, as reported by the Daily Mail.
A spokesperson for the pair said they "were a little surprised not to have been told about" the King's letter "in advance". Insiders said the Sussexes' team was only given an hour's notice to digest its contents before it was made public. They also said Harry only had two minutes to read the letter before it was published, as he was in a meeting in London and could not be reached sooner.
Meghan has still not been seen in public yet, but has reportedly had coffee at Soho Farmhouse, an ultra-luxurious private members club frequented by the Beckhams and Paul McCartney in Oxfordshire, where the duo are said to be staying.
