Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'furious' over 'working royal' label in latest rift

Sophia Papamavroudi, Charl Wright Mon, October 19, 2026 at 10:40 AM UTC

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Meghan and Harry recently had their first joint appearance in the UK since their return (Image: Pool, Getty Images)Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to 'hate' the label 'working members of the Royal Family,' as they continue to live as private citizens

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are seething over a "lazy" royal label used to characterize them, according to sources.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex allegedly "hate" the designation "working members of the Royal Family," a term traditionally employed to differentiate those who perform official duties for the Crown from those who don't.

Despite their dramatic departure as senior royals in 2020, the Sussexes take issue with this definition, maintaining that they remain part of the Firm and put in considerable effort in their own capacity.

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A close friend told The Sunday Times, "Working members of the Royal Family' is a really lazy phrase. He hates it, she hates it. They are not 'working' for the institution, but they are members of the Royal Family, and they work. Their days are built around their family life and their work. She's running a business seven days a week."

The couple, who recently appeared together at a joint public engagement in Nottingham, are also reportedly deeply troubled by the term "former royals," dismissing the label as "misleading."

Meghan and Harry are said to 'hate' the label (Image: Mark Cuthbert, Getty Images)

Harry and Meghan's source stated, "Things like Nottingham aren't done in the name of the institution or the crown, but Harry is the son of the King, he is still a member of the royal family, he's just not a member of the institution.

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"It's misleading to call them 'former royals'. It has an impact on how they're perceived and the way people talk about them."

This latest development is unlikely to be welcomed within Palace circles. King Charles, who has not seen the couple since their return to the U.K., recently issued a strict letter to Government departments, lord lieutenants, and military officials.

His letter reiterated Harry and Meghan's position as non-working royals, declaring they must be treated merely as "private citizens with commercial and charitable interests."

"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," the letter added.

It also noted that "the charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity," and that any questions from organizations about the reception to be given to the couple, "particularly where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace."

Harry and Meghan reportedly only heard about the letter shortly before its publication, and according to sources, knew about its contents one hour before it was given to the press.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”