King Charles draws ‘line in the sand’ with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle after couple caught off guard: expert

King Charles III has drawn a firm "line in the sand" with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after sending a letter spelling out their royal standing.

The claim was made by British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told People magazine they were "surprised" by the timing of a letter circulated by Buckingham Palace clarifying their non-working royal status.

"King Charles' narrative is decisive as he draws a line in the sand — nothing new here, no more discussion required," Chard told Fox News Digital. "I'm sure the Sussexes expected flexibility. Prince Harry may be the king's son, but he lacks power to amend and dictate the monarch's statement."

KING CHARLES III CLARIFIES PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE WILL NOT RESUME ROYAL DUTIES AFTER UK MOVE

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex seen leaving St Paul's Cathedral after attending Service of Thanksgiving during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London in 2022.  (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

On Sept. 7, a senior palace official reiterated that Harry and Meghan are non-working royals, according to People magazine. The letter, which was issued on behalf of the king, was said to have been shared with the Sussexes. A spokesperson for the couple said they were "a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance," the BBC reported.

Those close to the couple told People magazine they received the letter and, 20 minutes later, sent back some questions. However, they were told that the letter had already been circulated to the media.

The former Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during Trooping the Colour 2018 on June 9, 2018, in London. (UK Press via Getty Images)

The letter issued by the Lord Chamberlain, Richard Benyon, Lord Benyon, at the king's direction, pointed out that the couple were "private citizens" and their His and Her Royal Highness styles remain in abeyance and are not used.

WATCH: KING CHARLES CONFIRMS PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE WILL NOT RETURN TO ROYAL DUTIES

Chard told Fox News Digital the guidance made one thing clear: they "do not represent the Crown."

"There is no ambiguity about who is in and who is out," she said. "The king is protecting the institution. The public has made it clear they do not want the monarchy to be undermined or damaged by confusion. The letter's statement puts minds at rest."

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, reacts as he leaves the High Court in central London on April 8, 2025, after a hearing on the British government's decision to downgrade his personal security during visits to Britain. Prince Harry's lawyer outlined threats made against him as King Charles's youngest son appealed against an "unjustified" decision to restrict his police protection in the U.K. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

"In part, yes, the monarchy can only have one voice," Chard shared. "Prince William and Princess Catherine are the future king and queen. They officially speak for the crown alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla. It's constitutional, and the crown takes precedence."

Prince William, Prince of Wales, seen here with Catherine, Princess of Wales, is heir to the British throne. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said there's another, more silent message the king wants to convey.

"The letter states the palace’s position, but it’s clearly intended as a put-down after the way the royals were blindsided by the Sussexes returning to Britain," he claimed.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, relocated to California in 2020. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

"The Sussexes see themselves as public figures, not private citizens," he said. "So, they are ‘surprised,’ but are unlikely to alter their plans. The king was never going to debate anything with the Sussexes. The royals don’t debate, although Queen Elizabeth’s ‘recollections may vary’ is legendary."

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From left: Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018, in London, England. The couple stepped back as senior royals in 2020. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The couple relocated to Britain in August ahead of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, starting school.

"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," stated the letter, as quoted by People. "This position, distinct from the State and Royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected."

Queen Elizabeth II looks on during the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018, in Windsor, England. (Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

"It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex," it continued. "Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. 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."

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex departs from The Invictus Games Foundation Conversation: From Policy to Practice at Chatham House on July 7, 2026 in London. (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

Chard called it a "reality check" for the Sussexes.

"It shouldn’t have been a shock," she said. "The update was inevitable and warranted. Harry and Meghan unexpectedly swanned back to the U.K. and seemingly hoped to continue as if they were still working royals. The blurred lines created an air of confusion, with the majority wondering if Harry was back in the fold of the institution. The petty comment batted back from Team Sussex highlighted bruised egos."

Prince Harry's book "Spare" is displayed in a bookstore on Dec. 16, 2023, in Bath, England. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

"Allegedly the Sussexes were caught off guard. The irony when you consider Harry’s book ‘Spare,’ their Netflix documentaries and the Oprah interview catching the British royal family off guard over the years."

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Meghan Markle is seen here being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on March 8, 2021. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

According to People, Harry is preparing to kick off a series of charitable engagements that were planned well ahead of the couple’s return to the U.K. These events will highlight charities and causes he supports, including the Invictus Games. The next iteration of the sporting competition is taking place in 2027 in Birmingham, England.

However, Harry is already facing a rocky arrival.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's Chief of Defense Forces and eldest son of President Yoweri Museveni, attends the Chief of Defense Forces Inter Force Drill Competition on May 13, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda. (Getty Images)

On Sept. 9, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and head of the country's armed forces, announced that his country was withdrawing from the Invictus Games.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the "Our Planet" global premiere at the Natural History Museum in London, England, on April 4, 2019. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

"In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom, whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games," he wrote on X. "We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval."

Gen. Kainerugaba also told The Times of London, "I have factions in the Ministry of Defence that support that Harry-Meghan nonsense. I had to quash it straight away. I support the monarch. Period."

The Duke of Sussex arrives for the Invictus Games Foundation Conversation: From Policy to Practice, at Chatham House, London, which is bringing together experts, policymakers and members of the Invictus community to discuss issues affecting wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. The event is part of the One Year to Go celebrations for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. The event took place on July 7, 2026. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)

A source close to Harry went on to tell People, "They made it very clear that the reason they pulled out was a direct result of perceived guidance from the Lord Chamberlain. This was an unintended or intended consequence of the letter — and that was always going to happen. Hence the wish not to rush it out."

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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, waves as he departs after a visit to the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London on Sept. 10, 2025, in London, England. (Getty Images)

"The only people suffering as a result are the competitors from Uganda who would have been taking part in next year’s Invictus Games," the insider added.

British royal expert Hilary Fordwich wasn't buying it.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends an Invictus Games Friends and Family reception hosted by the City of The Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Defence at Zuiderpark on April 15, 2022, in The Hague, Netherlands. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

"Harry blaming this letter for Uganda pulling out of the Invictus Games is a ghastly move on his part," she said. "No doubt Harry and Meghan thought King Charles would accommodate their return or at least consult with them. But their expectations weren't relevant for the royals."

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend the David Foster Foundation 40th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 7, 2026, in Victoria, British Columbia. (The David Foster Foundation via Getty Images)

Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital he believes the letter has caused more harm than good in any peace talks Harry is willing to have with his estranged family.

"My personal opinion on the decision by King Charles to make public a letter conceived by the Lord Chamberlain to reiterate that Harry and Meghan were not working royals was an act of malicious intent initiated by those intending to disrupt their return," he explained.

King Charles III is crowned with St. Edward's Crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, during his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, England, on May 6, 2023. (Getty Images)

"The message was unjustified," said Turner. "I hope Harry and Meghan will not rise to the bait and retaliate but calmly move on."

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the wheelchair basketball event during Day 1 of the 2025 Invictus Games at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Feb. 9, 2025. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)

People reported that the king remains supportive of organizations and initiatives, like the Invictus Games, that help wounded service personnel. Palace insiders also pointed out that the letter does not represent a new policy but instead reiterates the terms agreed to at the 2020 "Sandringham Summit" led by the late queen. The family meeting took place shortly before Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior working royals and moved to California.

Royal author Robert Jobson previously told The Daily Mail that "there won't be any war of words" between the king and his younger son.

King Charles, Queen Camilla and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are seen here in Buckingham Palace in London, on May 22, 2018. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

"Perhaps predictably, there was an immediate response from the couple," he told the outlet. "But don’t expect to see anything similar coming from the palace. The king has no intention of being drawn into responding further."

King Charles III and Prince William, Prince of Wales, attend the Thistle Service at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 1, 2026. (Getty Images)

While the Sussexes have returned to the U.K. for an extended stay, they won't resume their roles as working royals. They will live in a private, nonroyal residence outside London while maintaining their California home and a property in Portugal.