Prince Harry and Meghan Marklewere recently confirmed to still be non-working royals following a letter from Charles, and the pair have now made their first appearance since the comments.
The Duke of Sussex was seen visiting the Soho Farmhouse, a private members club located in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. HELLO! understands that Harry used the gym on the premises, before enjoying brunch with his wife.
Weeks after returning to the UK, Meghan was seen at the exclusive venue. Members of Soho Farmhouse said Meghan had an early morning coffee and was introduced to senior staff members by name and with “considerable fanfare”, Tom Sykes reported.
The Duchess has had a long-time connection to Soho Farmhouse, and reportedly had her bachelorette party at the retreat in 2018 before her wedding to Harry. The Duchess is still friendly with Markus Anderson, a Soho House executive, who spent time with the couple when they still lived in California.
She and Harry also have a close connection to the Cotswolds as an area, as they previously rented a home in Oxfordshirewhile Frogmore Cottage – their former UK residence – underwent renovations.
“They have lots of friends in the area,” a source told HELLO! previously. “Meghan is close to Ellen DeGeneres, who lives there with her wife, Portia de Rossi, as does Simon Cowell, who is friends with Prince Harry.”
King Charles’ letter on royal roles
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the UK last month, there was speculation over whether the couple would step back into royal life.
However, on Monday, King Charles confirmed that the couple were still non-working royals. Lord Benyon, a top Palace official, added that Harry and Meghan remain “private citizens” following their return.
The message, which was shared with the pair, also confirmed that the couple will operate separately from the Royal Household.
“It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” it partly read. “Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.”
The Sussexes said they were “surprised” after receiving the document, which was shared with them before it was made public. Their spokesperson said: “They were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance.”
