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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new title request after King’s ‘stunning’ letter

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been left ‘a little surprised’ by King Charles’ recent letter and sources say they would prefer to be given another title after their return to the UK

Harry and Meghan during a public trip to Australia in April

Harry and Meghan during a public trip to Australia in April(Image: Getty)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly named the titles they would rather adopt as they make their comeback to the UK following the King’s description of them as “private citizens”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a dramatic homecoming to Britain in late August, and are reportedly establishing themselves in Oxfordshire with Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, registered at local schools. Their return to the UK has prompted King Charles III to outline the Sussexes’ status and titles.

In a letter sent to senior government and military figures, Charles stated Harry and Meghan would not use of formal royal titles, such as His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness, as they have done since withdrawing from official royal responsibilities in 2020.

It noted that any charitable endeavours undertaken by the pair would be conducted in a “private capacity”.

The controversy comes on the fourth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's passing

The controversy comes on the fourth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing(Image: Getty)

The correspondence, issued to media on Monday (September 7) caught the Duke and Duchess off guard. Multiple UK news sources have reported Harry and Meghan wish to be recognised as “public figures” instead.

The Sussexes would favour “public figures” as they believe it would “acknowledge that, on a personal level, they remained members of the Royal Family, despite no longer receiving public funding”, a briefing document from the couple stated, according to the Daily Mail.

They also “were a little surprised not to have been told about” the King’s correspondence “in advance”, a representative for the duo revealed. Sources revealed the Sussexes’ office were given just an hour’s warning to absorb its contents before it went public.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 16: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are seen during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 16, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Joshua Sammer/Getty Images)

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex(Image: Joshua Sammer, Getty Images)

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They also claimed Harry had merely two minutes to review the letter before publication, as he was attending a meeting in London and couldn’t be contacted earlier.

Meghan has yet to make a public appearance, but has allegedly enjoyed coffee at Soho Farmhouse, an exclusive private members’ club popular with the Beckhams and Paul McCartney in Oxfordshire, where the pair are reportedly residing.

Buckingham Palace and representatives for Harry and Meghan have been approached for comment.