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 to the Telegraph 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.

Read More: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would prefer to be ‘public figures’ NOT private citizens