Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their return to Britain. However, they will not resume using their His and Her Royal Highness styles.
According to PEOPLE, the clarification comes in new guidance issued by Lord Chamberlain Lord Benyon at the direction of King Charles. This is after officials received several requests about the couple’s status following their move back to the UK.
The guidance makes clear that Harry and Meghan’s return has not reversed the arrangement reached when they stepped away from duties as working members of the Royal Family in 2020.
“Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used,” the letter states.
Sussex titles remain unchanged
Harry received the titles Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel from the late Queen Elizabeth II when he married Meghan in May 2018.
Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex through the marriage. Their withdrawal from official royal duties did not remove those titles.
The new guidance therefore continues to refer to the couple as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It separates those titles from the HRH styles they agreed not to use following their royal exit.
Their charitable and commercial activities will also continue independently rather than as official duties performed on behalf of the monarch.
The letter describes their position as being similar to “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”
King Charles seeks clarity after UK return
The guidance was circulated to selected senior figures across government, the military and Lord Lieutenancies. It was also shared with Harry’s team.
It reiterates that the couple no longer perform representative duties for the Sovereign. Their administrative affairs remain separate from the Royal Household.
Questions involving official courtesies or possible use of public funds are to be directed to Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, operational security matters remain for the appropriate authorities.
Archie, Lilibet retain royal titles
The clarification does not alter the titles held by Harry and Meghan’s children.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet became entitled to use prince and princess after their grandfather, King Charles, ascended the throne in September 2022.
Buckingham Palace later updated the Royal Family’s website to reflect their titles.
The latest guidance therefore leaves the Sussex family’s position largely unchanged. Harry and Meghan remain Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but their HRH styles stay unused despite their return to Britain.
