- The couple’s representatives received a copy of the letter just one hour and 12 minutes before it was released to news outlets, leaving them little time to respond because they were unable to reach Harry, who was in a meeting, until just two minutes before the release.
- The letter stated that any charity work the couple undertakes will be carried out in a private capacity, and operational security decisions are matters for the relevant police agencies.
- The Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the royal household, said in the letter: “To help avoid doubt or confusion, The King has directed that (this) information be shared.”
- The couple’s reaction to the letter, which confirms that their status remains unchanged, highlights tensions, and some palace observers have expressed concern that their presence in Britain could allow them to establish a sort of parallel royal court that would compete with working members of the royal family.
- The issue is particularly sensitive because Harry has fought a long-running battle with the government for the restoration of publicly funded police protection, which was canceled when the couple gave up their royal roles; any decision is a matter for a government panel known as RAVEC, or the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, which is expected to meet this week.
Harry and Meghan were taken aback when Buckingham Palace released a letter confirming their status as non-working royals just over an hour before it was made public. The couple's representatives received the letter only one hour and 12 minutes prior to its release, leaving them little time to respond.12789
The letter stated that Harry and Meghan would continue to refrain from using formal royal titles, such as his royal highness and her royal highness, as they have since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. It also clarified that any charity work they undertake would be done in a private capacity, with operational security decisions being the responsibility of relevant police agencies.3
The Lord Chamberlain, the most senior official in the royal household, emphasized that the King directed the sharing of this information to avoid any confusion. The couple's reaction to the letter, which confirms their unchanged status, underscores ongoing tensions with the royal family.4
Concerns have been raised by palace observers regarding Harry and Meghan's presence in Britain, as it could lead to the establishment of a parallel royal court that might compete with working royals. This situation is particularly sensitive given Harry's ongoing battle for the restoration of publicly funded police protection, which was revoked when they stepped back from royal roles. Decisions regarding their police protection are to be made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), which is expected to convene this week.56
“The couple's representatives got the letter only 72 minutes before it went public, leaving little time to respond as Harry was in a meeting until two minutes prior. The letter also stated charity work would be private, and RAVEC is expected to meet this week on police protection.”
The Mercury News
