Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are on a 'collision course with the Palace'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a collision course with the Palace after telling friends they have no intention of being 'private citizens'.

While, so far, neither Prince Harry nor Meghan Markle has done anything on a large scale (beyond Meghan's Instagram video showing the couple and their children enjoying life in the British countryside), there is growing concern that plans are underway.

There has been a lot of speculation about an Oprah-style interview in the UK, but I think it is unlikely and, instead, the Firm is more nervous about what Harry and Meghan could do to overshadow the working royals' important campaigns.

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Even stepping out on the same day as, say, Kate and William at a separate event will cause a headache for those behind the scenes at the Palace, with (no doubt uncomfortable) stories suggesting they are competing for attention.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that they might decide to do a chat with their journalist friend Tom Bradby, where even five minutes on the sidelines of an event would make waves around the world.

There is also speculation that Harry could release a second autobiography, as he has previously said that his first book, Spare, was double the size initially, or that he and Meghan could even consider doing an interview with a glossy magazine.

Then there are concerns about what the King might have to do around Christmas - invite them with the rest of the family and potentially cause difficulty for William and Kate, or avoid an invitation and inevitably get a backlash from their supporters.

Either way, the Palace is in turmoil over what to do next, as the royals essentially sit and wait for the Sussexes' next move.

Since returning to the UK last month, Harry has already taken part in a public engagement in London and announced a number of other events on both sides of the Atlantic.

In one, he will appear alongside Bill and Hillary Clinton at their annual Global Initiative meeting in New York. Other commitments include the WellChild Awards - Harry is a long-time patron - and the Invictus Spirit Awards. This, perhaps, is what symbolises the Palace's worst fears.

This latest turn of events erupted after the King's unprecedented letter, which spelt out that his second son and his daughter-in-law cannot be 'half in, half out' members of the Royal Family.

The letter - which, according to reports, blindsided the Sussexes - was a deliberate move by Charles to remind all concerned that the terms of the so-called 'Sandringham Summit' of 2020 remain in place. That was when the late Queen made it clear that Harry had to choose between being a full-time working royal and being a private citizen.

But in the years since Her Majesty's decree, the Sussexes have flouted the agreement, while living in California, by positioning themselves as public figures. This has meant official visits in support of hand-picked causes, as well as high-profile overseas tours that appeared remarkably similar to the kind of work they were supposed to have turned their back on.

The Sussexes will still not be able to use the titles of His and Her Royal Highness, and they remain private citizens, says the letter sent on behalf of the King by the Lord Chamberlain, a top Palace official.

Harry's own spokesperson responded to the letter by claiming he and Meghan were not consulted in advance, and it's believed they only had an hour's notice before the letter was widely circulated. The spokesperson added that the couple 'were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance'.

One source close to them went further, telling me that the Sussexes have 'no intention' of fading into obscurity now they are back in Britain. A warning to the Firm that more brickbats may well be thrown.

The insider said, 'It is their [Harry and Meghan's] belief that they have a great deal to offer charities and good causes that could benefit from their support. If the King thought that issuing the letter would simply make them fade away, he will be deeply disappointed.

There is no way, for example, that Harry will turn his back on the WellChild charity or walk away from his Invictus Games initiative. It is no exaggeration that this is likely to put them on a collision course with the Palace'.

There is no doubt that Harry and Meghan are in demand from organisations that would welcome their support and the attention it would generate. From Harry's point of view, he has an obligation to those causes he has supported and there is every likelihood he will accept further offers should they arise.

Prince William remains angry with his brother, in a feud that has now spanned more than six years. It's not known whether he was instrumental in the decision to issue the letter but my source said that it bore the hallmarks of the Prince of Wales, who is also thought to be seriously considering stripping the Sussexes of their royal titles once he is King.

The source continued, 'The problem is that people may not see the difference between official royal engagements and any events Harry and Meghan choose to attend'.

Among those who received the letter were senior military officials, in what was clearly a sign that the Palace hoped to stop Harry should he attempt to resume work with members of the Armed Forces.

Harry was stripped of his military titles when he stepped down as a working royal, something that was a particularly bitter blow to the former soldier and Afghanistan veteran. As one of the few royals in living memory to have served on the front line, Harry felt he had a duty to maintain a close relationship with the military.

But the letter has already led to one country pulling out of the Invictus Games in a show of support for King Charles. The head of the Ugandan military, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, issued a statement that said, 'In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III... whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games. We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval'.

If other countries follow suit, Harry's hopes of staging the Games in Birmingham next year could be badly affected. So what might the collision course with the Palace look like?

Clearly, the King and William will be keeping a very close eye on the moves Harry makes next. Their biggest fear would be for him to fight back publicly by agreeing to an interview citing his frustration.

Any comments from the 42-year-old duke would inevitably infuriate the Palace, given the lengths they have gone to to try and stop Harry continuing as he did across the pond, with those pseudo-royal tours. Only time will tell whether the King's efforts to draw a line in the sand will have the desired effect.

But of all the things Harry and Meghan are known for, staying quiet is not among them...

This feature first appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.