Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children have made a dramatic return to the UK recently, and on Friday Harry made his first public appearance since setting foot on British soil again
Prince Harry has made his first UK public appearance since Buckingham Palace confirmed that he and Meghan Markle will not return as working members of the Royal Family.
Newly released photographs capture the Duke of Sussex outside Tower Bridge Studios in central London on Friday. The venue is known for hosting high-profile productions, including the Diary of a CEO podcast and the BBC’s The Apprentice.
Following the visit, Tower Bridge Studios shared two images on Instagram showing Harry signing their wall, adding on in a caption that it was an “absolute pleasure” to host the Prince on his return to the UK.
The sighting coincides with newly-issued guidance shared by the King, which firmly outlines the couple’s standing and reiterates that their philanthropic endeavours remain a “personal matter,” saying they are basically “akin to private citizens”.
A strongly-worded letter detailing their status read: “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.”
The official memo was distributed on the King’s direct order by the Lord Chamberlain, his highest-ranking official. Palace insiders insist the formal step was taken in “full accordance” with the Sussexes’ own stated desire to live as private citizens on British soil.
While royal aides will insist the memo contains nothing controversial or new, the timing speaks volumes after the deep unease and uncertainty caused behind palace doors by the couple’s sudden move back to the UK.
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