Prince Harry, Meghan Markle ‘surprised’ by King Charles’ letter on royal status - Good Morning America

King Charles III has publicly confirmed for the first time that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will remain "non-working royals" and "private citizens" during their return to the United Kingdom, according to a letter released Monday by the head of the Royal Household.
The letter, sent under Charles' direction via the Lord Chamberlain to Harry's team, senior U.K. government officials, and military stakeholders, states there is "no change to the current status" of the couple and that their His and Her Royal Highness titles remain in abeyance and unused.
The document affirms the Sussexes will retain "financial independence" and "protection of their privacy," describing their charitable work as a personal matter undertaken in a private capacity, comparable to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.
A spokesperson told ABC News that Harry and Meghan were "surprised" by the letter, though the couple has not commented further on it or on their broader return to the U.K.
The arrangement echoes the terms set when the couple stepped away from senior royal roles in 2020, giving up their titles, public funds, and automatic taxpayer-funded police protection before relocating to California, where they have since relied on a privately funded security team.
Harry, Meghan, and their children Archie and Lilibet reportedly arrived in the U.K. on Aug. 26 and plan to stay for an "extended period," with the children set to attend school there.