Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a forthright statement in response to King Charles's letter clarifying their royal status. The King's statement, released on Monday, confirmed that the couple remain "no longer working members of the Royal Family".
It further stated that their position is "akin to private citizens", and that "their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used."
Surprise at the announcement
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said: "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance."
In addition to expressing surprise, the Sussexes' representative also suggested that the statement caught the couple unawares.
Palace officials respond
Following Meghan and Harry's statement, Palace officials have informed the Daily Mail that this claim is "incorrect", maintaining that the couple had received the letter prior to its public release, although they were not consulted on its contents.
Return to the UK
The couple returned to the UK last month, six years after stepping back as senior working royals and relocating to the US, reports the Express. Meghan and Harry landed at Birmingham airport with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, on 26 August.
The couple continue to press for police protection upon their return due to safety concerns surrounding their children's school run. Harry and Meghan are also reported to have been worried about the timing of the King's statement and whether it has any connection to a key meeting on their security arrangements.
The King was only informed of the move days before the announcement was made public, and the family landed just a fortnight later. It's believed they've made their home in the Cotswolds, with Archie and Lilibet, now aged seven and five, attending a local private school.
How long the couple intends to stay in the UK remains a mystery.
