The row between Prince Harry and Meghan and King Charles has deepened after Buckingham Palace released a letter clarifying that the Sussexes are "private citizens" rather than working royals. A spokesman for the couple said they were "surprised" not to have been told about the letter's release in advance, claiming their request to clarify certain points was ignored before it was sent to the media. Buckingham Palace insists this account is "incorrect", saying the couple did receive the letter ahead of publication, though they were not consulted on its content.

According to timings disclosed by Team Sussex, the letter reached their office at 1.59pm on Monday, with a reply sent at 2.19pm asking whether guidance had already gone out and requesting the chance to clarify a point or two. Harry, who was in a meeting and unreachable until 3.09pm, was informed shortly before the letter went to the media at 3.06pm, with Team Sussex receiving confirmation at 3.11pm that it had already been released. Palace sources say the release, made in the interests of "transparency", was unconnected to a forthcoming Ravec meeting on the Sussexes' UK security arrangements, though the couple are said to suspect a link.