In the wake of their recent return to the United Kingdom, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal status has been clarified in new guidance issued under the direction of King Charles III. The message outlines that the couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will continue to refrain from using their “His Royal Highness” and “Her Royal Highness” styles, which have been in abeyance since their decision to step back as working royals in early 2020.
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The official missive, delivered by the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Benyon, was prompted by numerous requests for clarification regarding the Sussexes’ titles following their relocation. It states unequivocally that the couple’s HRH styles will not be employed publicly. This conforms with the arrangement discussed at the “Sandringham Summit” in January 2020, during which the terms of Harry and Meghan’s withdrawal from public royal duties were established.
Despite stepping back, Prince Harry, aged 41, and Meghan, aged 45, retain their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, bestowed upon them by the late Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in May 2018. The latest guidance reaffirms that their styles will continue to remain distinct from their titles, emphatically noting: “The styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.”
The couple’s HRH titles have been a topic of scrutiny since their departure, with Buckingham Palace previously indicating that while they would retain their royal titles, they would not utilise their HRH styles due to their non-working royal status. At the time of their departure, Buckingham Palace stated, “The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family.” This arrangement has now been reiterated, confirming no changes to their status even as they establish their lives back in Britain.
The communication, issued on 7 September, underscores the couple’s continuing separation from the active roles of the working royal family. It states clearly that Harry and Meghan are not undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and any charitable activities they engage in are done in a personal capacity, not on behalf of the royal family. The letter indicates that their position is akin to that of private citizens with diverse charitable and commercial interests.
Moreover, their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have royal titles as a result of King Charles’ ascension to the throne in September 2022. Following this, Buckingham Palace updated the official royal family website to reflect the children’s titles, described as a birthright since their grandfather became monarch.
The guidance response is also timely, given previous incidents where Meghan’s use of the HRH title had stirred controversy. In 2025, a photo of a personal gift from the Duchess, which included a card referencing her as “HRH The Duchess of Sussex,” sparked media attention. At that time, it was clarified that this was a personal gesture rather than a business-related action.
With their return to the UK now official, the parameters surrounding Harry and Meghan’s titles and styles remain clear: they are the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but their HRH titles continue to be set aside. As the couple strives to navigate their new lives, this guidance provides concrete parameters regarding their royal identities, marking the ongoing evolution of their relationship with the monarchy.
Moving forward, significant attention is likely to remain on Harry and Meghan’s activities as they continue their charitable endeavours and develop their public personas outside the traditional royal framework. The need for clarity regarding their titles reflects both the media’s and public’s keen interest in the couple’s journey, as they strive to bridge their royal legacy with their personal ambitions away from the monarchy.