Harry and Meghan ‘surprised’ at king’s letter reiterating they are non-working royals

Duke and Duchess of Sussex were apparently given little notice before message was sent to the media

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were “surprised” at being given little notice of a formal letter sent to government departments and the military on behalf of King Charles reiterating their status as non-working royals.

Harry and Meghan, who returned to the UK from the US two weeks ago , had insufficient time to clarify any points before details were issued to the media, it is understood.

The letter, the first official public clarification of the couple’s status since their return, was issued by Buckingham Palace’s most senior officer, the lord chamberlain, Richard Benyon.

It was revealed to the media at 3.06pm on Monday. It is understood the contents were shared with Harry and Meghan’s team almost an hour before at 1.59pm, who sent a response back to Buckingham Palace at 2.19pm asking whether the guidance had already gone out, in the hope of letting the couple know before the media, and for the team to have the chance to clarify one or two points.

Harry was in a meeting and could not be contacted until 3.09pm. The Sussexes’ team received confirmation at 3.11pm it had already been sent to the media.

The letter was revealed before a reported meeting this week of the executive committee for the protection of royalty and public figures (Ravec), which is responsible for making decisions about royal security.

Harry is waiting to hear the conclusion of the risk management board’s threat assessment and Ravec is expected to decide at the meeting whether the Sussexes are entitled to taxpayer-funded security now they live in the UK. The Home Office does not comment on such decision making and would be unlikely to reveal the outcome of such a meeting.

Lord Benyon’s letter reiterates the couple’s “current” status as non-working royals. “This position, distinct from the state and royal duties undertaken by the working royal family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.

“Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used.

It says their charitable work “is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity”.

“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”

The letter says questions from official and state organisations about the courtesies extended to the couple, “and particularly where recourse to public funds may be required”, should be directed to Buckingham Palace, adding: “Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.”

The couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are expected to be starting school in the UK near to the family’s reported countryside retreat.

The palace’s clarification came on the day Harry was revealed to have visited Tower Bridge Studios, a London filming and podcast studio, where shows such as the podcasts Diary of a CEO and Jimmy Carr’s The Big Pitch are recorded.