Row over claims the King and Prince William declined to comment on Harry and Meghan accusations

Kensington Palace has become embroiled in a row with Netflix over claims that the Royal family was not given a right of reply on the Harry & Meghan series.

The first episode of the documentary carries a disclaimer that reads: "Members of the Royal Family declined to comment on the content within this series.”

A Kensington Palace source said an email had been received “purporting” to be from a third-party production company, via a different, unknown organisation’s email address.

They said they contacted both Archewell Productions and Netflix in an attempt to verify the authenticity of the email but received no response.

In the absence of any verification, they felt unable to provide any response, it is understood.

The aide also claimed that the substance of the email did not address the entire series.

Earlier, Buckingham Palace insisted that no member of the Royal family had been approached for comment or given advance sight of any part of the series.

The contradictory positions emerged as the first three episodes were released on Thursday morning.

Palace aides insisted that they would not be commenting on any aspect of the series, despite a volley of attacks on the Royal family.

The Telegraph had established that a right of reply was offered by programme-makers to those criticised in the series.

Former palace aides, some of whom are bound by confidentiality agreements, have become increasingly frustrated that they are unable to respond to the Sussexes' version of events.

"This is all narrative," said one aide of the scenes released earlier in the week. "They say 'everything changed' but what do they mean?

"What was so bad that it warrants making a comparison with Princess Diana? They seem to be equating her death with a few negative stories and gossip.”

A Netflix source told the Telegraph that the communications offices for King Charles and the Prince of Wales were contacted in advance, and given the right to reply to claims within the series.