King Charles III officially confirms: Harry and Meghan remain inactive royals

British King Charles III has formally notified government officials that his younger son, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan remain inactive members of the royal family following their return to the United Kingdom. The news comes from the BBC, which cites a letter from the monarch.

"In short, their position is comparable to that of private individuals with business and charitable interests," the King's letter states. This means that Harry and Meghan, who hold the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are not entitled to be addressed as "Royal Highness."

What the King's letter means

The purpose of Charles III's message is to clarify his son's status for government ministers and other British officials: any actions taken by Harry and Meghan do not represent the royal family. The letter also stresses that the so-called Sandringham Agreement of 2020, struck when the couple decided to step back from royal duties and leave Britain, remains in force.

Under that agreement, Harry's family cannot run their own commercial ventures while simultaneously serving as working members of the royal family. The same rules apply to charitable work — the King's letter describes the couple's charitable projects as a private matter.

Return to Britain and school plans for the children

Harry and Meghan returned to Britain with their children, Archie and Lilibet, in late August. The reasons behind the move remain a subject of speculation, with some commentators linking it to the couple's declining popularity in the US and possible financial benefits from relocating. According to media reports, Meghan is also negotiating a return to acting.

Seven-year-old Prince Archie and five-year-old Princess Lilibet are expected to start at a local school in September, though exactly where the family will live and which school the children will attend has not yet been disclosed.

Harry has made it clear that he wants his children to spend more time in Britain and see more of their grandfather — particularly as the 77-year-old monarch continues treatment for cancer. Charles III admitted he had no advance knowledge of his son's move but later said he welcomed the decision.

Strained family relations

Harry and Meghan have repeatedly criticised royal life in public. In his memoir "Spare," Harry described, among other things, a strained relationship with his father, King Charles III, and his elder brother, Prince William. According to Reuters, relations between the two brothers remain very poor.

US President Donald Trump also commented on Harry and Meghan's departure with their family in early September. Known for his fondness for the British monarchy, Trump has made no secret in recent months of his cool attitude toward the prince. At a press conference, he admitted he was glad to see them go: "I was not a fan of theirs. I didn't like the way they were so disrespectful to the royal family."

The US president has had grievances with Harry before — in the spring, the prince visited Ukraine and called on the US to show leadership and honour its commitments under international agreements. Although the prince did not name Trump directly, the remark apparently struck a nerve: "I know one thing — Prince Harry doesn't speak for the UK, that's for sure. I think I speak for the UK more than Prince Harry does," the White House chief said at the time.

Source: seznamzpravy.cz