King Charles III reportedly referred to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as “private citizens” in a letter intended to make clear that the couple cannot maintain a partial role within the monarchy.
“Charles wrote a letter to clarify they are not working royals and they are considered private citizens so there is no confusion,” a source told Us Weekly on Friday.
“The king just wanted the public and press not to be confused. They can’t be one foot in and one foot out.”
The insider said the monarch’s message was designed to underscore that Harry, 41, and Markle, 45, would not return to their positions as senior working members of the royal family after moving back to the UK.
“Per an agreement when they left working royal status, everything they wanted to do that was public-facing with certain patronages was to be approved by the palace so they would not be confused as official working royals,” the source claimed.
“With them moving back to the UK, it’s been confusing.”
Page Six has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
However, Harry and Markle reportedly objected to the description of themselves as “private citizens.”
“They are public figures,” a source close to the couple told People on Thursday. “Members of the public know who they are. The idea that they can live a normal, ‘private’ life is sadly not realistic.”
Other sources maintained that, if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were truly private individuals, the Lord Chamberlain would not have been required to send formal guidance in a letter.
As Page Six previously reported, Charles released the letter on Monday, which addressed the couple’s return to the UK six years after they resigned from their royal duties and moved to the US.
The public notice was allegedly sent to the media without consulting the duo.
Royal insiders told The Telegraph Wednesday that Charles and his staff wanted to alert the Duke and Duchess before it was made public and were willing to “clarify one or two points.” However, after about an hour, they sent it out to the media before Harry’s team responded with guidance.
The outlet also reported that Harry and Meghan were “frustrated” with the letter’s “deliberate” timing, as they believe it was part of an effort to influence the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures.
The committee, notably, was gearing up to discuss whether Harry, Markle and their two kids — Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5 — should be granted police protection as they begin their life back in the UK.
Palace sources strongly rejected the claim, per the Telegraph.
The family of four landed in the UK on Aug. 26, one week after Page Six confirmed they were moving back to England for an “extended period.”
Harry made his first public appearance in his homeland at Tower Bridge Studios in London on Monday.
As for Markle, she was spotted having tea with what appeared to be a fellow mom at Soho Farmhouse, a members-only retreat, in the Cotswolds last Friday.
Page Six previously confirmed that the couple was going house hunting in the posh area.