A harsh light was shone on the bitter tensions that still exist between Prince Harry and the royal institution Tuesday morning after Harry’s office told reporters that the couple had been “surprised” by an announcement from the King on Monday restating that they are not working royals.
The decision by the Sussexes to go public will be seen as an aggressive piece of cage-rattling, and one that appears calculated to cast doubt on the Palace’s claim that the couple had been fully apprised that the letter was going out.
A source close to Harry told The Royalist that the “surprise” related only to the decision to send the letter, and the timing of the way it was sent, not to its content. The source pointed out that it has been clear for many years that Harry is not a working royal, and that he has consistently said he doesn’t want to be one.