Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'surprised' by King Charles III's letter about their royal status.

The couple, who stepped down as working royals and moved to California in 2020, have claimed they were blindsided by the letter issued on Harry's father's behalf on Monday. A spokesperson for the Sussexes said on Tuesday, "We were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance." In the letter, the monarch made it clear that the couple's return to the U.K. does not include a resumption of official duties, and that their status remains unchanged from when they withdrew as working royals six years ago."