<p id=”par-1_63″>King Charles has made one thing clear about <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/prince-harry/”>Prince Harry</a> and Meghan Markle’s U.K. return. They aren’t coming back as “working royals.” A letter sent on the King’s behalf stated, “It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working Members of the Royal Family.” </p>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://t.co/wTSzzebnmo”>https://t.co/wTSzzebnmo</a><br><br>The King’s letter in full:<br><br>Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for Guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that the following information be… <a href=”https://t.co/ys0yJs0fhM”>pic.twitter.com/ys0yJs0fhM</a></p>— christa benson (@chribengian) <a href=”https://x.com/chribengian/status/2096985699530449123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>September 7, 2026</a></blockquote>
<p id=”par-2_51″>The Lord Chamberlain, one of the Palace’s top officials, sent it. Palace sources said it also went to Harry’s team, the government, the military, and Lord Lieutenants. Harry and Markle still can’t use the styles His and Her Royal Highness. The letter called them “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”</p>
<p id=”par-3_55″>They can, though, continue their charity work and private projects. But they won’t represent the King or carry out official duties for the Crown. The clarification followed after Harry and Markle returned to Britain with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet for an extended stay. The kids enrolled to start school there in September as well. </p>
<p id=”par-4_33″>Harry and Markle will reportedly keep their Montecito home and their vacation property in Portugal. Britain, however, could become their private, non-royal home base. The pair was also reportedly house-hunting in the Cotswolds. </p>
<p id=”par-5_39″>According to the<em> Daily Mail,</em> Markle wanted <a href=”https://www.dailymail.com/news/royals/article-16087713/Meghan-new-home-Harry-California-ALISON-BOSHOFF-return-Britain.html” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>a home with “nine bedrooms” and a private film studio</a>. Harry, meanwhile, wanted “a lot, and I mean a lot, of land, and no footpaths going across it to protect their privacy.”</p>
<p id=”par-6_48″>The couple reportedly wanted to be closer to Charles as he deals with cancer. They also hoped Archie and Lilibet could build stronger ties with him. Still, the family already reunited this summer. In July, Charles invited Harry, Markle, Archie, and Lilibet to Highgrove, his Gloucestershire country home. </p>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Breaking News | Major Development in the British Royal Family<br>A major update has emerged from the British Royal Family. After several years, King Charles III has reportedly had a private meeting with his younger son Prince Harry, daughter-in-law Meghan Markle, and his… <a href=”https://t.co/PadCN0rdQ3″>pic.twitter.com/PadCN0rdQ3</a></p>— Lily Rose (@lily_king3) <a href=”https://x.com/lily_king3/status/2075917787621372013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 11, 2026</a></blockquote>
<p id=”par-7_40″>Queen Camilla also attended. It marked the first time Charles had seen the children in four years. Charles last saw them in person in June 2022, when the Sussex family came to the U.K. for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. </p>
<p id=”par-8_37″>Harry’s relationship with his father has been strained since January 2020. That was when he and Markle stepped back as senior working royals and left Britain. The couple first moved to Canada before settling in Montecito, California. </p>
<p id=”par-9_41″>Harry didn’t hide the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/royal-family/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-left-prince-william-and-kate-middleton-with-a-blunt-two-word-verdict-as-royal-rift-turned-toxic.html/”>family tensions after leaving royal life</a>. In January 2023, he told <em>ITV </em>that the royals had shown “absolutely no willingness to reconcile.” Harry added that he wanted to “get his father back” and “have his brother back.” </p>
<p id=”par-10_68″>Days later, speaking to Anderson Cooper on<em> 60 Minutes </em>about his memoir <em>Spare</em>, Harry said of William, “I love him deeply. There has been a lot of pain between the two of us.” Then, after losing his U.K. security appeal in May 2025, Harry told the <em>BBC</em>, “I would love reconciliation with my family.” The Duke also admitted Charles “won’t speak to me because of this security stuff.”</p>
<p id=”par-11_47″>However, when Charles announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, Harry flew from California to London to meet him. He went to Clarence House and spent about 45 minutes with his father. Harry met Charles again at Clarence House for a private tea during his U.K. trip.</p>