Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, were surprised by the release of a pointed letter on behalf of King Charles clarifying their status as non-working royals, a spokesperson for the couple has said.

The letter was intended to clarify the status of the Sussexes, who have moved back to the UK from California with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The couple “were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance”, said their spokesperson.

The row comes as a Home Office security committee prepares to discuss the possibility of providing taxpayer-funded security for the Sussexes now that they have returned to the UK. The Ravec committee is understood to be meeting this week.

Palace letter caught Harry by surprise

Harry and Meghan will not use the titles of “His and Her Royal Highness”, stated the letter sent by the Lord Chamberlain, a top Buckingham Palace official.

“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,” it also stated, making clear that they are “no longer working Members of The Royal Family”.

The Palace felt the need to emphasise that nothing had changed and that Harry and Meghan would not be undertaking official engagements.

The clarification letter is understood to have been sent to Government departments and military officials – as well as Harry’s team – on Monday.

But the Duke of Sussex is thought to have had little time to prepare. Harry’s team is believed to have been given the letter only around one hour before it was released to the media.

Harry’s team was still seeking guidance from Buckingham Palace on its distribution when it was released, The i Paper understands.

Can Harry really remain ‘private citizen’?

A friend of the couple previously told The i Paper that Harry, as the King’s son, could never be an entirely private citizen.

“Some people will say, ‘But they’re private citizens.’ Nonsense. Utter nonsense. They are two of the most high-profile people in the world,” the friend insisted.

“The idea that Harry, who is the King’s son and brother to the future King, could ever live an entirely private life is for the birds.”

The Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020. But they returned to the UK on 26 August, with rumours rife as to the reasons.

Harry is said to miss friends and family in the UK. The couple’s children Archie and Lilibet are expected to be starting school near to the family’s reported countryside retreat.

The King was said to be glad to be able to spend more time with the family – but Charles remained adamant they would not be working royals and there was no so-called “half-in, half-out” option.

Some have expressed concerns that the couple may want to monetise their royal status, particularly via Meghan’s lifestyle products brand, As Ever. The Duchess is thought to want to launch As Ever in the UK.

Last year, a video accompanying a podcast showed that she had used the HRH style in a card sent with a personal gift. It said: “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex.”

But sources close to the couple denied that the private use of the HRH style breached the terms of the Sandringham Agreement when they quit royal duties six years ago.

Charles and William are thought to remain firm on there being no part-time royal role for Harry – concerned that family members doing deals while undertaking official duties would open them up to conflict of interest accusations.

Norman Baker, the former Lib Dem minister and leading critic of royal finances, has questioned whether a prince could be a truly private citizen.

“Harry’s right that being the son of the king can’t be undone,” he previously told The i Paper.

“The issue will be whether or not Harry and Meghan try to exploit their royal connections while simultaneously denying that they’re doing so.”

Meeting on Sussexes’ security

The Home Office body known as Ravec – the Royal and VIP Executive Committee – is understood to be meeting this week to discuss whether to reconsider taxpayer-funded security for the Sussexes.

Harry has been lobbying Ravec, a group of Government officials, police chiefs and courtiers, to reinstate the couple’s right to automatic police protection.

Palace officials have insisted that the Lord Chamberlain’s clarification letter was not related to any decision made by Ravec. But it has been viewed by some as a reason to refuse the couple’s security request.

Harry is expected to carry out his annual series of engagements around the WellChild awards, normally held in mid-September. It has been reported Meghan is aiming to rekindle her work with her UK-based charities.

A Government spokesperson said the protective security system was “rigorous and proportionate”, adding: “It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”

Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.