Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are “surprised” by the letter sent on behalf of the King, re-affirming they’re no longer working members of the royal family, a spokesperson says.

The Duke and ‌Duchess of Sussex and their two children returned to live in Britain last month, six years after ‌stepping down from royal duties and moving to the US during a period of estrangement and awkward relations with the British royal family.

The return was a surprise even to close family. Harry’s father, the King, reportedly learned of it only days before the news became public.

This week, a rare letter – authorised by the monarch and sent to senior British officials ⁠on Monday – reiterated that Harry and Meghan are ​no longer working members of the royal family.

It said they would not resume use of their royal titles, which has been banned since the Sussexes stepped back from official duties in 2020.

It also said that the couple’s charity work was done in a private capacity, and operational security decisions remained matters for relevant police agencies.

On Tuesday (British time), a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said they learned on the letter only shortly before it was sent.

“We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance,” they said, adding that publication of the letter caught the couple off guard.

The Mirror reports the letter was made public shortly after 3pm on Monday (British time) – an hour after its contents had been shared with Harry and Meghan’s team.

The Sussexes’ staff sought to clarify one or two points but Harry – who was at an engagement at Tower Bridge Studios in London – could not initially be contacted. Minutes later, the staff learned the letter had been made public.

A post by the studio to Instagram to mark Harry’s visit has since been removed.

Prince Harry was on an engagement when Buckingham Palace notified his team of the letter. Photos: Tower Bridge Studios

“Timing is everything. Harry and Meghan have only been in the country a matter of days but this important line has been drawn early, leaving no one in any doubt where his feelings lie on the matter,” a royal source told The Mirror.

“Undoubtedly there will be clashes in the future with the Sussexes, no one expects them to give the royal households the courtesy of their plans, and even less so now. But the King could not be clearer. You may have come back to the UK, but you are on your own.”

The letter said their status, originally agreed with the late Queen Elizabeth in 2020, gave the couple ⁠personal latitude “in respect of financial independence and protection of their ‌privacy ​as they would wish”.

“It follows that there is no change to the current status of the ​Duke and ‌Duchess of Sussex … The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter ​for them both and undertaken in their private capacity,” it said.

“In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests.”

Since leaving for the US, Harry and Meghan have continued to make the headlines as ​the prince accused his family of neglect, the tabloid press ‌of ruining his life and the British government of failing to provide automatic police protection which would allow him to return home.

A committee that decides on what level of taxpayer-funded security Harry and his family should have is due to meet this week to review his protection now that the Sussexes have returned to Britain.

Reports in the British media suggest Harry is questioning the timing of this week’s letter, and suspects it could influence the review.

Britain’s Telegraph newspaper also reports that the Sussexes would have preferred the King use the term “public figures” than “private citizens” in the statement – and wanted an acknowledgement that they remain members of the royal family.

In the years since the so-called “Megxit”, the couple have also struck commercial ​deals, most notably with streaming giant ⁠Netflix, while the duchess has launched a lifestyle brand As Ever.

-with AAP