{
  "id": 6254178,
  "title": "Harry and Meghan 'surprised' by King's letter making clear they remain non-working royals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/harry-and-meghan-surprised-by-kings-letter-making-clear-they-remain",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T08:24:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp30kv53qvdo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, were reportedly taken aback by a letter from the Royal Household clarifying their official status as non-working royals. According to a spokesperson, the couple was \"a little surprised\" not to be informed about the letter in advance. However, palace insiders claim they were indeed made aware of it beforehand. It is also revealed that a Home Office security committee is currently deliberating on the matter of taxpayer-funded security for the family, now residing in the UK. The King's letter, sent on behalf of himself, aimed to make clear the status of Harry and Meghan, who returned from California with their children Archie and Lilibet last month. Despite this, the couple would still not be able to use the titles of His and Her Royal Highness, and would remain private citizens, according to the letter. The message from the King reiterated the terms agreed upon in 2020 during the \"Sandringham Agreement\" - which ruled out any \"half-in and half-out\" status. This meant Harry and Meghan could not pursue their own commercial interests while continuing to serve as working royals.",
  "summary": "A spokesman says they were not told in advance about the letter sent on behalf of the king, although palace sources deny this.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "King Charles III clarifies status of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/king-charles-iii-clarifies-status-of-prince-harry-and-his-wife-meghan",
        "published": "2026-09-08T06:00:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "King Charles clarifies status of Prince Harry and wife, Meghan, after their return to the UK",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/king-charles-clarifies-status-of-prince-harry-and-wife-meghan-after",
        "published": "2026-09-08T06:04:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Harry and Meghan to remain private citizens, King Charles says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/harry-and-meghan-to-remain-private-citizens-king-charles-says",
        "published": "2026-09-08T06:48:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}