Harry and Meghan yesterday hit out at the King's decision to label them 'private citizens' – because they want to be known as 'public figures' instead.

Buckingham Palace on Monday released a letter of 'guidance' on the monarch's behalf, confirming the couple were not returning to the UK as working royals.

Yet – rather than accept the letter, which said nothing had changed since 'Megxit' – briefings yesterday by sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a string of extraordinary claims.

Team Sussex has suggested that, despite being given just over an hour's notice of the impending release, Palace aides did not give Harry enough time to 'clarify one or two points' in the letter written by the Lord Chamberlain on His Majesty's instruction.

In particular, the Sussexes seem to have taken issue with the statement that they should not be treated like royalty. 

'In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests,' the letter read.

The Palace also made the point the letter was in full accordance with the Sussexes' stated wish to remain 'private citizens while in the UK' and in keeping with the 'Sandringham Summit' agreement of 2020, after which the couple set up a new life in the US.

This prompted a jaw-dropping briefing yesterday, which read: 'The duke is understood to have taken particular issue with the notion that the couple were to be treated as private citizens. If that were the case, it was claimed, such formal guidance would not be required.

'The Sussexes prefer the term "public figures", and would have liked an acknowledgement that, on a personal level, they remained members of the Royal Family, despite no longer receiving public funding.'

Buckingham Palace declined to comment, feeling the letter is sufficient.

But insiders last night suggested this insistence they be classed as 'public figures' who want their royal links burnished in public is evidence why the Sussexes' preferred 'half-in, half-out' model would never be sustainable alongside their commercial activities.

A Sussex spokesman also suggested they had been caught 'off guard' by the King's announcement, which was a letter written by Lord Benyon to officials across the country.

Team Sussex claimed the letter's contents were shared with them at 1.59pm.

They replied at 2.19pm 'in the hope' the Sussexes could have 'the chance to clarify one or two points'.

Unbeknown to the Palace, Harry was visiting Tower Bridge Studios in London and 'could not be contacted' until 3.09pm.

At 3.11pm, they received confirmation it had already been sent to the media five minutes earlier.

Sources close to the couple have suggested the letter was timed to come ahead of a meeting yesterday of the Ravec security body.

They believe this may have been an attempt to influence the committee on whether to reinstate Harry's taxpayer-funded security.

But the Daily Mail understands such claims are incorrect and the letter was sent out to offer clarity ahead of a busy programme for the Sussexes. Those close to the King also think the move could make it easier for him to see his son privately.

A Team Sussex spokesman was approached for comment.

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