Harry and Meghan’s return to the United Kingdom continues to generate headlines. Days after the news broke that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were leaving California to return to the country they left in 2020, on August 26 their arrival in London with their two children, Archie and Lillibet, was confirmed. A million questions arose around this news, but perhaps the most repeated one is what role they would occupy within the British Royal Family now that they were back.
Since the news broke and we began to learn certain details about the reason for this unexpected decision, it became clear that Harry and Meghan were returning as private citizens, that is, they would abide by the decision they made in 2020 to leave behind their link with the monarchy in order to enjoy greater privacy and financial freedom. And, if there was any doubt, King Charles III has spoken out to confirm that this will indeed be the case.
Through a “guidance letter” that was made public this very Monday, the monarch has sought to make clear that there will be no changes to the Sussexes’ situation. In the letter itself he explains that it stems from public concern about Harry and Meghan’s move and states that, as they themselves decided in January 2020, they are no longer active members of the Royal Family.
Charles III has also wished to address the charitable work carried out by the couple. Far from being something associated with the Crown, these acts stem from Meghan Markle and her husband’s personal interest, which they carry out from their ‘private capacity’. Regarding their financial situation, as private citizens they are, the king states that they have ‘business and charitable interests’ as well as ‘financial independence’.
Harry y Meghan con los reyes Carlos y Camila en una imagen de archivo
The last surprising detail of the letter lies in how it directs all curious people to the offices of the Dukes of Sussex and not to Buckingham Palace, distancing itself from anything related to matters involving their son and family that may arise during their stay in the country he himself reigns over. Once again, it underscores their status as private citizens who have little to do with the monarchy.
What does Charles III have to do with Harry and Meghan’s return to the United Kingdom?
The last time there was any evidence of a rapprochement between the British king and his youngest son was in July of this year, and it was of an emotional nature. And it was not only Prince Harry present at that meeting; his children were also there, who had not seen their grandfather for four years. The meeting took place at Highgrove, Charles III’s private retreat, a place with the right conditions for the meeting to enjoy the privacy desired by both parties.
Whether the return of Harry and Meghan’s family has anything to do with this rapprochement is all a mystery, although there are rumors that Charles III’s greatest wish is for his children to reconcile and the family to be reunited. Another one of the rumors aimed at justifying the most talked-about homecoming at the end of summer concerns the monarch’s health, although to date there is no reliable information that would allow us to confirm this hypothesis.
What we do know is that those who crossed the Atlantic in search of independence and privacy are returning to square one, this time with a situation very different from the one they left behind. Charles III’s letter leaves no room for doubt, and that decision will continue to be respected, as they are not considered active members of the Royal Family, which implies that their Royal Highness status remains suspended.
