Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly objected to being described as "private citizens" in a Buckingham Palace letter issued on King Charles's behalf, saying they would rather be known as "public figures". The letter, sent by the Lord Chamberlain to confirm the couple would not resume duties as working royals, restated the terms of the 2020 "Sandringham Summit" agreement, but sources close to the Sussexes made a series of pointed counter-claims afterwards, reigniting tension between the two camps.

According to briefings, Harry felt he was given insufficient time to "clarify one or two points" before the letter went out, with Team Sussex saying they had just over an hour's notice; a detailed timeline of messages between 1.59pm and 3.11pm was cited to support this. The Sussexes are said to want acknowledgement that they remain Royal Family members on a personal level despite receiving no public funding, while insiders suggest their wish to be called "public figures" undermines the sustainability of a "half-in, half-out" royal role alongside their commercial ventures. Sources close to the Sussexes speculated the letter's timing was meant to influence a Ravec security committee meeting on Harry's police protection, though the Daily Mail says this is incorrect and the letter was simply issued for clarity; Buckingham Palace declined to comment further.