A recent YouGov poll indicates that a majority of the British public supports King Charles III’s decision to prevent Prince Harry from resuming official duties within the Royal Family. Of the 4,506 adults surveyed, 51 percent expressed a preference against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returning as working members of the monarchy following their recent return to the United Kingdom. In contrast, 16 percent favored their reinstatement to official royal roles, while 33 percent remained undecided.

This survey follows King Charles’s announcement clarifying the couple’s status. The monarch emphasized that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will now be regarded as private citizens, despite their ongoing involvement in commercial and charitable activities. This stance was communicated through a letter from the Lord Chamberlain, the senior officer of the Royal Household.

Responding to the letter, representatives for the Sussexes expressed disagreement with the characterization of the couple as private citizens. They stated a preference for the term “public figures” and expressed a desire for recognition that, on a personal level, they continue to be members of the Royal Family, even though they no longer receive public funding.

The question of the Sussexes' role within the monarchy has been a subject of public and media attention since their decision to step back from senior royal duties in early 2020. Their return to the U.K. has reignited debate over the future of their official involvement in the Royal Family and their public roles.

The poll results suggest a significant portion of the public aligns with the King’s position, favoring a clear boundary between the Sussexes’ private lives and formal royal responsibilities. However, with a sizeable percentage of respondents uncertain, opinions remain divided on the couple’s place in the monarchy moving forward.