New poll shows more than half of Britons do not want Prince Harry and Meghan to return as working royals

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The polling was conducted on September 9 and surveyed 4506 British adults

Fresh YouGov polling reveals that a mere 16 per cent of the British public would like to see Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, resume their roles as working members of the royal family.

A majority of 51 per cent would prefer the couple to retain their current non-working status.

The remaining third of respondents, at 33 per cent, said they were unsure.

The survey asked which position most closely reflected people's views on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's standing within the institution.

The polling data emerges as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have expressed that they were "surprised" to have been given no prior warning about a formal communication from King Charles to government departments.

The letter served to reaffirm the couple's position as non-working royals, and was issued in connection with their return to the United Kingdom.

The lack of advance notification appeared to catch the pair off guard, according to their response.

This week, Prince Harry and Meghan pushed back against Buckingham Palace's characterisation of them as "private citizens," insisting instead on being recognised as "public figures" with formal ties to the Royal Family.

Their objections followed a guidance letter issued on Monday on behalf of the King, confirming that the couple would not resume duties as working royals.

The letter, penned by Lord Chamberlain Lord Benyon on the King's instruction, was addressed to officials nationwide.

It described the Sussexes' status as "akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests," stating they ought not to be afforded royal treatment.

Palace officials emphasised that the guidance aligned with the couple's own previously expressed desire to live as "private citizens while in the UK."

The document also referenced the 2020 Sandringham Summit agreement, which laid the groundwork for Harry and Meghan's departure from frontline royal duties and their subsequent relocation to the United States.

The Duke of Sussex took particular exception to the "private citizens" framing.

Buckingham Palace declined to offer further comment, saying the letter spoke for itself.

A spokesman for the couple said: "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance. The publication of the letter had caught the couple off guard."

The episode marks the first open point of tension between the Palace and the Sussexes since their return to Britain with their two children last month.