Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may be back in Britain, but their return does not mean a return to their former royal status.

King Charles III has authorised the release of a letter clarifying the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's position within the royal family following their move back to the UK. The communication makes clear that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the royal family and will not resume using the titles His or Her Royal Highness, despite returning to Britain.

The clarification appears aimed at answering one of the biggest questions surrounding the couple's return: Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle be called HRH again now that they are back in the UK?

The answer, according to the King's communication, is no.

King Charles clarifies Harry and Meghan's royal status

The letter, authorised by King Charles on Monday, states that Prince Harry and Meghan are no longer working members of the royal family and will not use the titles “His or Her Royal Highness”.

It also says that any security arrangements concerning the couple will be handled by the relevant police agencies. Their charitable activities, meanwhile, will continue to be carried out in a private capacity.

The King authorised the communication to prevent “doubt or confusion” over the Sussexes' status following their return to Britain.

Harry remains a prince and fifth in line to the British throne. The couple also continue to hold their titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, their return to the UK does not restore the working royal roles or HRH status they gave up after stepping down as senior members of the monarchy.

Why did Harry and Meghan lose their HRH status?

Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in January 2020 before relocating to the United States.

Their departure came amid growing tensions with the royal family, with the couple expressing frustration over media intrusion and restrictions on their plans to develop their “SussexRoyal” brand.

As part of their new arrangement, the couple stopped carrying out official royal duties and no longer received public funding. While they retained the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they ceased using His or Her Royal Highness.

Harry also gave up his military titles.

The couple later settled in Montecito, California, where they lived for six years after leaving Britain.

Trump says he was 'happy' to see them leave the US

Their move back to Britain also drew a sharp reaction from US President Donald Trump, who said he was pleased that Harry and Meghan had left the United States.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office last Wednesday, Trump said he had not been a fan of the couple and criticised what he described as their treatment of the royal family.

“I’m happy about it. I was not a fan,” Trump said.

He went further, saying that if he were part of the British royal family, he would not have welcomed them back.

“Maybe I’m different. I wouldn’t have taken him back, right? If I were the royal family, I would not have taken them back,” Trump said.

Trump also criticised Meghan and accused the couple of showing disrespect towards Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles.

Harry has rebuilt ties with King Charles, but rift with William remains

The Sussexes' return comes after signs that Harry had begun rebuilding his relationship with his father.

King Charles, who is battling cancer, has met Harry during his more recent visits to the UK, suggesting an improvement in relations between father and son.

However, Harry reportedly remains estranged from his brother, Prince William, the heir to the throne, and William's wife Catherine.

Harry and Meghan met in 2016 and married in 2018. Their two children, Archie and Lilibet, became Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex after King Charles ascended the throne.

With AP, AFP inputs