King clarifies Harry's status to government officials in unusual move

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave up their royal duties at the start of 2020. (Reuters: Dylan Martinez/File)

King Charles has taken the unusual step of clarifying Prince Harry's status in a letter sent to government and military officials.

The letter was sent by a senior Buckingham Palace official to "avoid doubt or confusion".

The couple will not resume royal duties despite returning to the UK, the King has clarified.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not resume royal duties despite returning to the United Kingdom, the King has clarified.

A letter, on behalf of King Charles, has been sent to government and military officials in a bid to "avoid doubt or confusion".

It stated that the couple were no longer working members of the Royal Family and addressing them as His and Her Royal Highness was not to be used.

"The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity," Lord Chamberlain, a senior Buckingham Palace official, wrote.

Prince Harry and Meghan made a shock return to the United Kingdom with their children last month, six years after they moved to California.

While a move to London now brings Meghan and Harry in closer proximity to the royal family, it does not solve the Windsor's complicated dynamics or the deep rift between two brothers.

The pair gave up their royal duties at the start of 2020 and moved to Montecito, near Santa Barbara, as relations with the Royal Family deteriorated.

The prince's relationship with his father, King Charles has said to have improved in recent times, in particular after a visit in July but it has been widely reported that Harry is not on speaking terms with his brother and heir-to-the-throne, Prince William.