Jones and his partner, a professional publicist, denied the accusations, saying they received the money for other stories. They were reportedly cleared by two internal palace investigations, one involving Simon Case (right), whom Jones replaced as Prince William's private secretary.

Jones lasted less than a year in the role before he quit in January 2021 to join a private equity group. Meanwhile, Case went on to become Permanent Secretary to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. He is now Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, and while he has faced scrutiny for his role in the government's pandemic response he is currently on medical leave from the British government.

Byline Times cites a "well-placed source" who claims the removal of Harry and Meghan's funding was to avoid a "potential courtroom scandal with Jones and Wootton very publicly at the centre." Dan Wootton (left) was the executive editor of The Sun at the time of the leaks.

Jones and his partner denied being friends with Wootton, however, Byline Times published an exclusive photo of the couple at the journalist's private 35th birthday party, indicating the contrary. It also calls into question the thoroughness of Case's investigation, Byline Times alleges.

Read on to get the latest on Harry and Meghan's living arrangements...

Royal rift: The REAL reason Charles cut off Harry and Meghan