Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warned they are "playing with fire" after the couple suggested they were "a little surprised" at King Charles' letter clarifying their status as non-working Royals.
King Charles outlined the couple's standing in a letter released on Monday (September 7), shortly after Harry and Meghan arrived in Britain in late August. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to remain in the UK for an "extended period".
Letter details
In the letter, addressed to senior government and military officials, Charles said the pair will abstain from using formal royal titles, such as His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness, and added any charity work undertaken by the couple will be conducted in a "private capacity".
The Sussexes' office subsequently issued a briefing to media stating they were 'a little surprised' by the note. Reportedly, Harry only had two minutes to review the letter before it was released to the media, as Buckingham Palace forwarded it to the Sussexes office 72 minutes prior to publication but he was in a meeting and could not be contacted.
Former MP's warning
It has also been suggested that the pair would rather be referred to as "public figures" instead of "private citizens" to mirror their existing personal connection to the King.
Now, former Conservative MP and author Louise Bagshawe, formerly known as Louise Mensch, has asserted they are "playing with fire". She took to X to express her views on the dispute.
"I think it was another serious error for Meghan to issue an on the record statement that she was 'surprised' by the King's announcement," the former MP for Corby said. "She had no right to be notified of it in advance at all. No right to edit it."
She added: "The King will not tolerate competing press releases for long, it looks like a rival court. He is King. If Meghan wishes to disobey him, he can remove Harry's status as a Prince of the UK with a stroke of the pen, and I believe he would. She is playing with fire."
New life in the Cotswolds
The dispute emerges as Harry and Meghan are allegedly establishing a fresh existence in the Cotswolds following six years in California, registering their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, at neighbourhood schools.
Meghan has also been spotted at the extremely upmarket private members' club Soho Farmhouse in Great Tew, a beloved retreat of the Beckhams, according to reports.
The Sussexes have been contacted for comment.
