Harry and Meghan surprised by King's letter on status

Prince Harry and Meghan were taken aback by a letter from King Charles clarifying their status as private citizens. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their children, recently returned to Britain after six years of stepping down from royal duties and living in the United States. The letter, authorized by Charles, was disclosed to senior British officials on Monday.

It stated that Harry and Meghan were no longer working members of the royal family, retaining personal autonomy in financial independence and privacy. Their charitable endeavors are personal and undertaken in their own capacity, making their status akin to that of private citizens with commercial and charitable interests. After leaving the US, the couple faced criticism for Harry's allegations of royal neglect, the tabloid press damaging his life, and the UK government's failure to provide sufficient police protection.

They also secured commercial deals, notably with Netflix, while Meghan launched a lifestyle brand called As Ever. The King was only informed of their return days before the news became public, and he received the letter alongside other senior officials.