Harry and Meghan respond after King Charles confirms royal status in letter

Harry and Meghan have issued a response to King Charles' letter about their royal status.

Given that Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020, the King said in his letter that there will be 'no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' following their return to the UK.

A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess told the Daily Mail: "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance."

They added that the publication of the letter had caught the couple off guard.

The Sussexes moved to California and stepped down as working royals in 2020 for personal reasons but have now returned to the UK on 26 August.

In the run up to their return, the King was said to be glad to be able to spend more time with the family, but remained adamant they would not be working royals and there was no half-in, half-out option.

Harry and Meghan are now back in the UK (Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty Images)

Harry is expected to carry out his annual series of engagements around the WellChild awards, while it has been reported Meghan is aiming to rekindle her work with her UK-based charities.

The couple’s children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are also expected to be starting school in the UK, near to the family’s reported countryside retreat.

King Charles' letter in full

The King said there will be 'no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

It read: "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 shared.

“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.

“This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.

"It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.

“The charitable work of the duke and duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity.

“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”