King Charles has reportedly been left frustrated by a “steady stream of complaints” from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their return to Britain. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved back to the UK with their children last month, six years after stepping away from official royal duties and moving to North America. Their return has once again put their relationship with the Royal Family under the spotlight, particularly after the King authorised new guidance confirming their position within the monarchy.

The letter made clear that Harry and Meghan remain non-working members of the Royal Family and carry out their charitable activities in a private capacity. It also described their position as being akin to “private citizens with commercial and charitable interests”. The couple’s return has also brought renewed questions over their security arrangements, while Harry and Meghan have yet to publicly set out their full long-term plans for life in Britain.

Harry has, however, spoken positively about settling back into the UK, saying recently that his family was happy despite an “eventful” first few weeks.

But behind palace doors, there are claims the King has been unhappy with how some aspects of the move have been handled.

An insider told Closer that Charles had been given little warning about Harry’s return and claimed subsequent developments had caused further frustration.

The source said: “Charles was not pleased that Harry gave him so little notice about coming back, it put everyone at the palace on the back foot.

“That was bad enough but since then there’s been a steady stream of complaints coming from the Sussex camp, along with plenty of demands, there’s a huge sense of entitlement and a reluctant acceptance that no lessons were really learned.”

The claims come after Uganda briefly withdrew from the 2027 Invictus Games, founded by Harry, amid confusion surrounding the Duke’s royal status.

Uganda’s military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the country would not participate in anything that did not have the King’s approval. The decision was later reversed following a conversation with Charles’s principal private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, who reassured him that the King had no problem with Uganda taking part.

Closer’s source claimed the King’s role in resolving the situation showed he was prepared to support Harry when he believed it was appropriate.

The insider said: “Charles is ready and willing to see this all from a very fair perspective and do what he feels is the right thing, that’s why he intervened and made that phone call to clear things up and ensure Uganda reversed their decision.

“Of course, Harry’s inner circle are all pointing out that the King would not have needed to even make that call if the palace hadn’t sent out that dreadful letter. It gave the impression that the King was distancing himself, which is why Harry was so stunned when it was sent far and wide without any chance for his team to weigh in.

“They’re all massively relieved that Charles did step up to sort things out, but it’s absolutely been a reminder of how much power the palace does hold.”

The source also claimed the King had been frustrated by details about the Sussexes appearing in the media and said Harry had been reminded that royal protocols remained in place.

The insider said: “It’s pretty vexing to the King that so many details are being leaked out. Harry and Meghan may not be going on the record, but they are clearly trying to control the narrative by approving certain stories and making snarky responses to all the backlash via their trusted favourites.

“That is not sitting well with the King or the hierarchy of people around him who are helping to run the monarchy. They have very swiftly and pointedly let Harry know that all protocol will stay in place and is to be followed.”

But the source insisted Charles was not seeking to drive his son away from Britain.

They said: “To be clear, Charles is not looking to force Harry out, quite the opposite in fact. He actually does want him and his children around, but as much as Charles wants the chance to spend more time with his grandchildren and with Harry, he’s not in the position to allow a whole lot to slide.

“The King’s advisors hold a huge amount of sway with him, not to mention the fact that he’s got William in his ear non-stop, telling him he needs to toughen up on Harry.”