Buckingham Palace timed the release of a letter reaffirming Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not working royals to impact a crucial meeting this week, it has been alleged. The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (RAVEC) is due to meet this week, Daniela Relph, the BBC's senior royal correspondent said.
Concerns over timing
She told this morning's Today programme that it is not clear if a decision over taxpayer-funded security for the Sussexes will be made, or if there will be a review. Ms Relph also gave some insight into what Harry and Meghan's camp is thinking.
She said: "Sources close to the couple are also concerned that the publication of the letter yesterday from the royal household was timed to have some kind of impact ahead of the RAVEC meeting."
"I think what all of this does show, whatever the reality of it is, is that there is still much discomfort and mistrust in the relationship between the royal household and the Sussexes."
Letter details
A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said of the letter earlier today: "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance." It is understood the RAVEC meeting is not taking place today.
The King asked the Royal Household's most senior officer the Lord Chamberlain to write to senior stakeholders within the Government and the military setting out guidelines on their status. The letter 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.
Team Sussex sent a response back to Buckingham Palace at 2.19pm asking whether the guidance had already gone out, in the hope of letting the duke and duchess know ahead of the media, and for the team to have the chance to clarify one or two points.
Position unchanged
Lord Benyon's letter reiterated the King's stance in August, when Harry and Meghan announced their return, that there would be no alteration to their role and status as private individuals and non-working royals.
It read: "It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess 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."
