Prince Harry and Meghan Markle backtrack on being 'half in, half out' royals - exclusive

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex "never agreed" they wouldn't be "half in, half out" royals, according to a friend. 

Harry and Meghan, who are carrying out three public charity visits in Nottingham today, are said to be untroubled by accusations that they are trying to resume royal duties by stealth.

Six years on from the so-called Sandringham Summit, during which the late Queen Elizabeth II established that the Sussexes could not adopt a "half-in, half out model" as part-time royals, a friend of the couple tells HELLO!: "It doesn't trouble them. They never agreed they wouldn't be half in half out. That was what was decided and foisted upon them. 

"They're just living their lives and they can, because they're financially independent."

The comments come despite a statement issued on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II by Buckingham Palace in January 2020, which said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were "grateful" to the monarch and her family for their ongoing support.

"As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments," it said, adding that "with The Queen's blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations."

Private citizens vs public figures

The late Queen's position was reiterated by the King last month, when he took the extraordinary step of writing to public bodies to make clear the Sussexes should be treated as private citizens.

A letter sent by the Lord Chamberlain Lord Benyon at Charles's request to government departments and the military last month stated: "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."

At the time, the couple were said to prefer to be known as "public figures". 

Harry and Meghan's outing comes as the King is set to address the Senedd in Cardiff, attending the ceremonial opening of the Welsh Parliament for the first time as monarch. His appearance alongside the Queen was announced by the Welsh government on 23 September.

The Sussexes' visit, however, is understood to have been planned at short notice after the three charities they are spending time separately requested visits.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment.

Meghan's return to acting

The couple will carry out only a "handful" of joint public outings over the coming year, HELLO! understands, although Prince Harry is expected to attend solo public engagements more regularly as Meghan continues to focus on her As ever brand and a return to acting. 

Earlier this week a source close to Meghan told HELLO! "Her diary is full. It's the kids, As ever, acting and then supporting good causes in whatever time she has left over. But she's got a really good team around As ever, the children are a bit older, they are both in school full time," says the friend. 

"They've got the kids settled. Archie and Lili are really enjoying school. She is able to now stick her head above the parapet a little bit more. It's a case of having a little bit more time to re-look at her original career, her vocation as an actor.

"She's looking at loads of acting offers. She's meeting a lot of writers and creatives, and reading a lot of scripts. If there's anything that stands out as being amazing, then then she'll do it."

Meghan prepared for her big return to the spotlight today with a trip to central London, where she had lunch with her hairstylist George Northwood and Sarah Corney, managing director of Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis' London office.

Despite the couple's ongoing security concerns, they met at The Park, a New York-style restaurant a stone's throw from her former home at Kensington Palace.