The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly revealed they would prefer to be known as “public figures” after King Charles III referred to them as “private citizens” in a letter to senior government and military officials.
The couple made a return to Britain in late August and are said to be settling in Oxfordshire, with their children Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, enrolled in local schools. The King's letter, released to media on Monday, September 7, clarified the Sussexes’ position and titles.
King's Letter Clarifies Royal Titles
In the letter, 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 since stepping back from official royal duties in 2020. It added that any charity work carried out by the couple would be done in a “private capacity”.
The letter took the Duke and Duchess aback. Reports from multiple UK news outlets have emerged claiming the Sussexes 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.
Surprise Over Lack of Advance Notice
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. Harry reportedly had only 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. The controversy comes on the fourth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's passing.
