Meghan Markle and Prince Harry HATE idea of being called ‘working royals’, friend claims

However, a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told The Sunday Times the pair object to the term because “they are members of the royal family and they work” and they believe it to be a “lazy” definition of their duties.

They told the newspaper: “‘Working members of the royal family’ is a really lazy phrase. He hates it, she hates it.

“They are not ‘working’ for the institution but they are members of the royal family and they work.

“Their days are built around their family life and their work. She’s running a business seven days a week.”

The revelation comes just days after Meghan and Harry made their first joint public engagement since returning to the UK in Nottingham.

On Thursday, the royals spent time with young people at The Community Recording Studio in St Ann’s, which was set up in 1991 by Trevor Rose and Nick Sterrett with the original aim of providing music and recording access to local youth.

The ally also disclosed the couple’s displeasure at being referred to as “former royals” by commentators.

They explained: “Things like Nottingham aren’t done in the name of the institution or the crown, but Harry is the son of the King, he is still a member of the royal family, he’s just not a member of the institution.

“It’s misleading to call them ‘former royals’. It has an impact on how they’re perceived and the way people talk about them.”

Last month, Government departments were issued a letter by Buckingham Palace which affirmed the couple remained non-working royals following their return to the UK.

The correspondence, which was also distributed to senior military figures and lord lieutenants, stressed the pair remain “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests”.

Meghan and Harry’s dissatisfaction over the “working royals” term comes as their relationship with other members of the Royal Family continues to be under strain.

Despite returning from the United States in August, the Sussexes are still yet to visit King Charles.

One insider close to the pair said: “Of course there is distance between him and his brother. Things are not perfect between him and his father.”

The Duke last visited the King in July and has not spoken to his brother, Prince William, since 2022.

Just weeks ago, a friend of Harry and Meghan cast doubts over whether a rebuilding of relations would take place in the near future.

They said: “They won’t be having Christmas with the royal family. How could that even work?

“They know it would be too awkward and too difficult. They also know they’re not going to be invited, and they’re not waiting for an invitation.”

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