King Charles III has officially clarified the status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their recent relocation back to the United Kingdom. In a formal communication issued by the Lord Chamberlain, the monarch emphasized that the couple are no longer working members of the royal family and should be viewed as private citizens. This update comes as the pair settles into life in the Cotswolds with their children, Archie and Lilibet, after ending their official duties and moving away from the U.S. in 2020. The palace statement underscores that the couple’s current life is independent, meaning they do not perform representative roles for the sovereign and are not entitled to use the style of "His and Her Royal Highness."

The move to formalize their position is intended to clear up any public confusion regarding their relationship with the monarchy. While the couple pursues their own commercial and charitable interests, the Royal Household has reiterated that they remain distinct from the senior working royals who receive administrative support and perform official state duties. This change in status also brings renewed focus to their security arrangements. With Harry and his family now living permanently in the U.K., the Royal and VIP Executive Committee will likely need to revisit the threat assessments that previously resulted in the removal of their state-funded police protection.