Meghan and Harry's dangerous 'balancing act' in Charles row and motive for title demand

Meghan and Harry's dangerous 'balancing act' in Charles row and motive for title demand Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made it clear they reject the idea of being known as 'private citizens', despite the King's 'guidance'. After a stretch of briefing battles and new security fears as Archie and Lilibet are pulled from school, we speak to experts on what's next for the Sussexes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's return to the UK is already off to a rocky start, as sources close to the couple hit back on King Charles recent 'guidance'. Last week, the tension erupted after the monarch made his stance on the Sussexes clear with a formal letter sent on his behalf. The message, sent by Lord Chamberlain to senior stakeholders in the Government and military, classified the couple as "private citizens" and confirmed that they are not allowed to use their HRH titles. Meghan and Harry's team quickly responded, claiming they were "surprised" by the lack of notice, before a briefing suggested the couple preferred to be recognised as 'public figures'. As the row rumbles on, one source close to the couple have warned that the idea "they can live a normal, 'private' life is sadly not realistic." Proving just how difficult that "private" reality is, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five were abruptly pulled from their new British school just two days into the term. A family spokesman confirmed the move was prompted by security vulnerabilities during the school run. "It’s a real shame, because they absolutely adored the school, the kids and their parents," the spokesman told HELLO!. "It was perfect for them in every way and the children really enjoyed their time there. They really wanted to make it work, but they had to make a difficult decision based on the fact that the team couldn’t make the school run operationally secure.” At the heart of the public vs private saga is the ongoing battle for police protection. Harry is currently awaiting a fresh risk assessment from the Home Office committee (Ravec) following their permanent move back to the UK. Ravec is expected to decide at the meeting as to whether the Sussex family should be entitled to taxpayer-funded security now they live in the UK. The Telegraph reported that the committee chairman wrote to the duke last week confirming that in light of their changed circumstances, it had commissioned a new risk assessment for him and a separate one for Meghan. Sources claim the couple fear the timing and language of the King's letter could actively undermine their security fight - though Palace insiders deny any connection. Putting aside their security concerns, royal watchers have asked why Harry and Meghan want so desperately to be known as public figures when they have long championed their right to a private life. One expert has pointed out that there may be other lucrative reasons to solidify their status as figures of influence - even if they have no intention of representing the Royal Family, as agreed. With rumours of Meghan appearing in the hit Netflix show The Gentleman and big plans to take her lifestyle brand As Ever more global, the Duchess' business plans are brimming with ambition. Since landing in the UK two weeks ago, she has also been spotted in Soho Farmhouse, a celeb haunt close to the Cotswolds - the Sussexes' rumoured new home region. Harry, meanwhile, will no doubt throw himself into charity work and has already announced his upcoming public engagements. Olivia Bennet, a senior PR director at agency Go Up, says that being known as private citizens won't help their brand image. "Calling Harry and Meghan private citizens suggests people who have stepped away from public life altogether, whereas that clearly isn't an accurate reflection of how they currently operate," she tells The Mirror. "They have charitable initiatives, public appearances, commercial interests and causes they continue to speak about very publicly. So I can understand why, from a communications standpoint, they would feel 'public figures' better reflects the role they actually have." But the celebrity PR guru warns: "What I don't think we should do is confuse that with them trying to become working royals again. There is a significant middle ground between carrying out official duties on behalf of the Royal Family and living an entirely private life, and that appears to be the space Harry and Meghan want to occupy." "But they don't appear to want their return to be interpreted as them quietly disappearing into private family life. 'Public figures' signals that they still see themselves as people with a platform, influence and causes they want to champion here." Royal experts have noted that this week's briefing battle proves that relations between both camps are still fragile. According to the Mail, the contents of the royal letter was sent to the Sussexes at 1.59pm on Monday, and they replied at 2.19 with the hope they could have "the chance to clarify one or two points". However, Harry was visiting Tower Bridge Studios in London and reportedly wasn't contactable until 3.09pm. At 3.11pm, they had received confirmation it had already been sent to the media five minutes earlier. An extraordinary briefing was then sent to The Telegraph, which read: "The duke is understood to have taken particular issue with the notion that the couple were to be treated as private citizens. If that were the case, it was claimed, such formal guidance would not be required. "The Sussexes prefer the term 'public figures', and would have liked an acknowledgement that, on a personal level, they remained members of the Royal Family, despite no longer receiving public funding." Reacting to the statement, Olivia explains that public relevance is "ultimately what supports everything else they do". She adds: "If you want people to pay attention to your charitable work, attend events, engage with campaigns or listen when you speak about an issue, being recognised as a public figure is part of that. "There's also a reputational balancing act here because Harry and Meghan have spent years talking about their desire for greater privacy. Some people will inevitably interpret this as contradictory, but wanting privacy doesn't necessarily mean wanting anonymity. "Public figures can still want boundaries around their children, their home and areas of their personal lives while choosing to be highly visible professionally," and said if they want a significant public role in Britain without returning to royal duties they need to "establish what that role actually looks like and what they want to be known for beyond their relationship with the Royal Family."Otherwise, every public appearance risks being interpreted through the same question of where they sit in relation to the monarchy, rather than the work they're trying to do." A source close to the couple told People Magainze on Thursday that said settling their two children into their new life in the UK "has been, and remains, their focus," and added: "Everything else will fall into place when the time is right."