MEGHAN & HARRY ‘WE'RE NEVER GOING BACK'

The Sussexes’ move has turned into a royal tit for tat with The Firm

Meghan and Harry have been left “humiliated and furious” after the Queen’s shock decision to ban them from using the brand Sussex Royal – to the point that Meghan is said to be secretly scheming ways to get her own back.

“They agreed not to take money from the public purse, and to repay the cost of renovations to their Windsor home, but that was on the understanding they could use their royal ties as branding to help them make money,” says a palace source.

“This is a huge blow to their plans for financial independence and Harry and Meghan have been blindsided by the Queen’s decision. Harry usually gets his own way with her.”

A statement issued by Meghan and Harry’s aides last week revealed that the couple will be returning to the UK later this month to carry out their final official engagements before they step down as senior royals, but privately Meghan, 38, has informed aides she may not heed the Queen’s request to come home as a family with their son Archie.

“Meghan is aware of the public opinion toward her and wants it to look like she’s toeing the line by agreeing to go to these royal events. But she hasn’t said anything about bringing Archie, even though he’s who everyone – especially the Queen and Prince Charles – really wants to see. She has no issue keeping him away until they bend to her wishes. A baby bargaining chip, if you will.”

In the surest sign yet that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no intention of keeping their promise to split time between Canada and the UK, they’ve laid off15 members of their British household.

Among the redundancies are PR whiz Sara Latham, personal secretary Fiona Mcilwham and deputy comms secretary Marnie Gaffney – all powerhouses in their field.