A disagreement has surfaced between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Buckingham Palace regarding the communication of the King’s decision to keep the couple in a non-working royal capacity. A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan stated that the couple was caught off guard by a letter sent on behalf of the King, which formally reinforced their status as non-working members of the Royal Family. This statement implies a lack of prior consultation or warning regarding the King's stance.

Conversely, palace sources have pushed back against this narrative. These sources maintain that the couple was indeed notified in advance of the letter’s contents, directly contradicting the claim of surprise made by the Sussex camp. The situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding the transparency of communications between the Sussexes and the institution since the couple’s departure from official duties.

The incident follows the couple's recent visit to the United Kingdom, which served as a backdrop for the renewed public discussion about their relationship with the monarchy. While the BBC reports the conflict as a direct dispute over the timing and nature of the notification, The Independent focuses on the finality of the King's ruling regarding their potential return to public service. Neither outlet has provided evidence to verify whether the communication was delivered as intended, leaving the public with two conflicting accounts of the same administrative process.