STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS

Opportunities in U.S. Equities

$2,000,000 Enhanced Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^TM due January 5, 2028

Principal at Risk Securities

The Enhanced Buffered PLUS (the "securities") are senior unsecured obligations of Royal Bank of Canada, do not pay interest, do not guarantee the return of any principal at maturity, and have the terms described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document. If the percentage change is greater than or equal to -13%, the securities repay the principal amount at maturity plus a potential leveraged positive return of up to the maximum return percentage of 44.85%. If the percentage change is less than -13%, you will lose 1% of the principal amount for every 1% decline in the percentage change by more than the buffer amount of 13%. Investors may lose up to 87% of the stated principal amount of the securities. These long-dated securities are for investors who seek an equity index-based return and who are willing to risk their principal and forgo current income and upside returns above the maximum return percentage in exchange for the potentially enhanced returns and the buffer feature that in each case apply to a limited range of performance of the underlying index. The securities do not pay interest. The securities are senior notes issued as part of Royal Bank of Canada’s Global Medium-Term Notes, Series I program. All payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of Royal Bank of Canada.

⁽¹⁾ RBCCM, acting as agent for Royal Bank of Canada, will receive a fee of $2.50 per $1,000 stated principal amount, which will be paid to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (“MSWM”) as a structuring fee. See “Supplemental Information Regarding Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest.

The initial estimated value of the securities as of the pricing date was $964.60 per $1,000 in stated principal amount, which is less than the price to the public. The market value of the securities at any time will reflect many factors, cannot be predicted with accuracy, and may be less than this amount.

An investment in the securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this document, and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, and page 1 of the prospectus.

You should read this document together with the related prospectus supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below, before you decide to invest. Please also see “Additional Terms of the Securities” in this document.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of the securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The securities will not constitute deposits insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other Canadian or U.S. government agency or instrumentality. The securities are not subject to conversion into our common shares under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.

Investment Summary

Enhanced Buffered PLUS

Principal at Risk Securities

The Enhanced Buffered PLUS Based on the Value of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^TM due January 5, 2028 (the “securities”) can be used:

If the averaged performance is less than -13%, investors are exposed on a 1:1 basis to the negative averaged performance of the underlying index beyond the buffer amount.

Key Investment Rationale

The Enhanced Buffered PLUS offer upside exposure for a certain range of averaged performance of the underlying index, subject to the maximum return percentage, while providing limited protection against negative averaged performance of the underlying index. If the percentage change is greater than or equal to -13%, the securities repay the principal amount plus a potential leveraged positive return of up to the maximum return percentage of 44.85%. If the percentage change is less than -13%, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of the securities for every 1% decline in the negative averaged performance of the underlying index by more than the buffer amount. Investors may lose up to 87% of the stated principal amount of the securities.

Additional Information

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated September 14, 2021, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated September 14, 2021, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series I, of which the securities are a part. This document, together with these documents, contains the terms of the securities and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials, including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours.

You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this document, the prospectus and the prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. We and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management are offering to sell the securities and seeking offers to buy the securities only in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this document and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus is current only as of their respective dates.

If the information in this document differs from the information contained in the prospectus supplement or the prospectus, you should rely on the information in this document.

You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” in this document and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the securities.

You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275.

Please see the section “Documents Incorporated by Reference” on page i of the above prospectus for a description of our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein.

How the Enhanced Buffered PLUS Work

Payoff Diagram

The payoff diagram below illustrates the payment at maturity on the securities for a range of hypothetical percentage changes in the final index level of the underlying index. The graph is based on the following terms:

How it works

The initial index level will be equal to the arithmetic average of the index closing values on each of the initial averaging dates, and the final index levels, which will be used to calculate the payment at maturity, will be equal to the arithmetic average of the index closing value on each of the final averaging dates. See “Risk Factors—You will not know the initial index level on the pricing date; the value of the underlying index on one or more initial averaging dates may adversely affect the initial index level” and “The final index level is based on the arithmetic average of the index closing values on each of the final averaging dates during an approximately 3-month period, and therefore the payment at maturity may be less than if it were based solely on the index closing value on the last final averaging date.”

Risk Factors

An investment in the securities is subject to the risks described below, as well as the risks described under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. Investors in the securities are also exposed to further risks related to the issuer of the securities, Royal Bank of Canada, which are described in Royal Bank of Canada’s annual report on Form 40-F for its most recently completed fiscal year, filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein. See the categories of risks, identified and disclosed in the management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in the annual report on Form 40-F. This section (and the management’s discussion and analysis section of the annual report on Form 40-F) describes the most significant risks relating to the securities. You should carefully consider whether the securities are appropriate for you in light of your particular circumstances.

Risks Relating to the Terms and Structure of the Securities

The IRS has issued a notice indicating that it and the U.S. Treasury Department are actively considering whether, among other issues, a holder should be required to accrue interest over the term of an instrument such as the securities even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the securities until maturity and whether all or part of the gain a holder may recognize

upon sale, exchange or maturity of an instrument such as the securities should be treated as ordinary income. The outcome of this process is uncertain and could apply on a retroactive basis.

Please read carefully the sections entitled “Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in this document, the section entitled “Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.

Risks Relating to the Initial Estimated Value of the Securities

The value of the securities at any time after the pricing date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the securities in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your securities.

Risks Relating to the Secondary Market for the Securities

The level of the underlying index may be volatile, and you should not take the historical levels of the underlying index as an indication of future performance. See “Information About the Underlying Index” below. You may receive less, and possibly significantly less, than the stated principal amount per security if you sell your securities prior to maturity.

the cost of unwinding any related hedging positions, the time remaining to maturity and the likelihood that it will be able to resell the securities. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the securities easily. Because we do not expect that other broker-dealers will participate significantly in the secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to trade your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which RBCCM is willing to transact. If, at any time, RBCCM were not to make a market in the securities, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the securities. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your securities to maturity.

Risks Relating to the Underlying Index

Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest

We and our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with one or more of the issuers of the securities represented by the underlying index. This business may include extending loans to, or making equity investments in, such companies or providing advisory services to such companies, including merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of business, we and our affiliates may acquire non-public information relating to these companies, which we have no obligation to disclose to you, and, in addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports about these companies. Neither we nor the agent have made any independent investigation regarding any matters whatsoever relating to the issuers of the securities represented by the underlying index.

Moreover, we and our affiliates may have published, and in the future expect to publish, research reports with respect to the underlying index or the securities which it represents. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the securities. Any of these activities by us or one or more of our affiliates may affect the level of the underlying index and, therefore, the market value of the securities.

disruption events and the selection of a successor index or the calculation of the initial index level and the final index level in the event of a market disruption event or discontinuance of the underlying index. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you at maturity, if any. For further information regarding these types of determinations see “Additional Terms of the Securities” below.

Additional Terms of the Securities

Please read this information in conjunction with the summary terms on the front cover of this document.

Information About the Underlying Index

All disclosures contained in this document regarding the underlying index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, which owns the copyright and all other rights to the underlying index, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the underlying index. The consequences of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC discontinuing publication of the underlying index are discussed above in the section entitled “Additional Terms of the Securities—Discontinuation of/adjustments to the underlying index.” Neither we nor RBCCM accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the underlying index or any successor index.

Dow Jones Industrial Average^TM ("INDU")

The INDU is designed to provide an indication of the composite performance of 30 common stocks of corporations representing a broad cross-section of U.S. industry. The corporations represented in this index tend to be market leaders in their respective industries and their stocks are typically widely held by individuals and institutional investors. The index is a price-weighted index, which means an underlying stock’s weight in the index is based on its price per share rather than the total market capitalization of the issuer.

The index is maintained by an Averages Committee. The committee is composed of three representatives of S&P Dow Jones Indices and two representatives of The Wall Street Journal. The Averages Committee was created in 2010, when Dow Jones Indexes became part of CME Group Index Services, LLC, a joint venture company owned by CME Group Inc. and by Dow Jones & Company. Generally, composition changes occur only after mergers, corporate acquisitions or other dramatic shifts in a component's core business. When such an event necessitates that one component be replaced, the entire index is reviewed. As a result, when changes are made they typically involve more than one component. While there are no rules for component selection, a stock typically is added only if it has an excellent reputation, demonstrates sustained growth, is of interest to a large number of investors and accurately represents the sector(s) covered by the average.

Changes in the composition of the index are made entirely by the Averages Committee without consultation with the corporations represented in the index, any stock exchange, any official agency or us. Unlike most other indices, which are reconstituted according to a fixed review schedule, constituents of the index are reviewed on an as-needed basis. Changes to the common stocks included in the index tend to be made infrequently, and the underlying stocks of the index may be changed at any time for any reason. The companies currently represented in the index are incorporated in the United States and its territories and their stocks are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

In addition to the daily governance of the index, at least once within any 12-month period, the Averages Committee reviews the methodology to ensure that the index continues to achieve its stated objectives, and that the data and methodology remain effective. In certain instances, S&P Dow Jones Indices may publish a consultation inviting comments from external parties.

The index initially consisted of 12 common stocks and was first published in the WSJ in 1896. The index was increased to include 20 common stocks in 1916 and to 30 common stocks in 1928. The number of common stocks in the index has remained at 30 since 1928, and, in an effort to maintain continuity, the constituent corporations represented in the index have been changed on a relatively infrequent basis.

Computation of the Index

The level of the index is the sum of the primary exchange prices of each of the 30 component stocks included in the index, divided by a divisor that is designed to provide a meaningful continuity in the level of the index. Because the index is price-weighted, stock splits or changes in the component stocks could result in distortions in the index level. In order to prevent these distortions related to extrinsic factors, the divisor is periodically changed in accordance with a mathematical formula that reflects adjusted proportions within the index.

License Agreement

S&P^® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones^® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P. “Standard & Poor’s^®” and “S&P^®” are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC. These trademarks have been sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The index is a product of S&P and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.

The Securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the Securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Securities particularly or the ability of the INDU to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the INDU is the licensing of the INDU and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The INDU is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the Securities. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the Securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the INDU. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the Securities or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Securities or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Securities are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Securities. There is no assurance that investment products based on the INDU will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to

buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Securities currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Securities. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the INDU. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Securities.

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDU OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDU OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

Historical Information

The table below sets forth the published high and low closing levels of the underlying index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2018 through October 5, 2023. The graph below sets forth the daily closing levels of the underlying index for that period. We obtained the information in the table and graph below from Bloomberg L.P., without independent verification. You should not take the historical performance of the underlying index as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the level of the underlying index on the initial averaging dates or the final averaging dates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average^TM

Information as of market close on October 5, 2023:

  

Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences

An investor should read carefully the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to a Non-resident Holder owning debt securities under “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.

The Canadian tax disclosure in the prospectus also assumes that a Non-resident Holder (i) does not dispose of the securities to an entity that is a “specified entity” (as defined in proposed amendments released by the Department of Finance (Canada) on April 29, 2022) (the “Hybrid Mismatch Proposals”) with respect to such holder or in respect of which the holder is a “specified entity”; (ii) does not dispose of the securities under, or in connection with a “structured arrangement” (as defined in the Hybrid Mismatch Proposals); and (iii) is not an entity in respect of which Royal Bank of Canada is a “specified entity”.

Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following, together with the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement, is a general description of the material U.S. tax considerations relating to the securities. It does not purport to be a complete analysis of all tax considerations relating to the securities. Prospective purchasers of the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are resident for tax purposes and the tax laws of Canada and the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the securities and receiving payments under the securities. This summary is based upon the law as in effect on the date of this document and is subject to any change in law that may take effect after such date.

Supplemental U.S. Tax Considerations

The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement. It applies only to those initial holders who are not excluded from the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus. It does not apply to holders subject to special rules including holders subject to Section 451(b) of the Code.

NO STATUTORY, JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY DIRECTLY DISCUSSES HOW THE SECURITIES SHOULD BE TREATED FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. AS A RESULT, THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES ARE UNCERTAIN. BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR IN DETERMINING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.

We will not attempt to ascertain whether any of the entities whose stock is included in the underlying index would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, or a “U.S. real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If any of the entities whose stock is included in the underlying index were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to U.S. and non-U.S. holders, respectively. You should refer to any available information filed with the SEC and other authorities by the entities whose stock is included in the underlying index and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you in this regard.

In the opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Ashurst LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat a security as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract in respect of the underlying index for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the terms of the securities require a holder (in the absence of a change in law or an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. If the securities are so treated, a U.S. holder should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities in an amount equal to the difference between the amount a holder receives at such time and the holder’s tax basis in the securities. In general, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the securities will be equal to the price the holder paid for the securities. Capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the property is held for more than one year and is generally taxed at ordinary income rates where the property is held for one year or less. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Alternative Treatments. Alternative tax treatments of the securities are also possible and the IRS might assert that a treatment other than that described above is more appropriate. For example, it is possible to treat the securities, and the IRS might assert that the securities should be treated, as a single debt instrument. Pursuant to such characterization, since the securities have a term that exceeds one year, such a debt instrument would be subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the securities are so treated, a holder would generally be required to accrue interest income over the term of the securities based upon the yield at which we would issue a non-contingent fixed-rate debt instrument with terms and conditions similar to the securities. In addition, any gain a holder might recognize upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities would generally be ordinary income and any loss recognized by a holder at such time would generally be ordinary loss to the extent of interest that same holder included in income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of the securities, and thereafter, would be capital loss.

Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the securities, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the securities in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.

The IRS has released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the securities. According to the notice, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument such as the securities should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. It is not possible to determine what guidance will ultimately be issued, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the securities will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital and whether the constructive ownership rules of Section 1260 of the Code which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gains as ordinary income and impose an interest charge, might be applied to such instruments. Further, future legislation, including legislation based on bills previously introduced in Congress, may tax all derivative instruments on a mark-to-market basis, requiring holders of such derivative instruments to take into account annually gains and losses on such instruments as ordinary income. The adoption of such legislation or similar proposals may significantly impact the tax consequences from an investment in the securities, including the timing and character of income and gain on the securities. We intend to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described in this document unless and until such time as the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS determine that some other treatment is more appropriate. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. Payments made with respect to the securities and proceeds from the sale or exchange of the securities may be subject to a backup withholding tax unless, in general, the holder complies with certain procedures or is an exempt recipient. Any amounts so withheld generally will be refunded by the IRS or allowed as a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the holder makes a timely filing of an appropriate tax return or refund claim to the IRS.

Reports will be made to the IRS and to holders that are not exempted from the reporting requirements.

Non-U.S. Holders. The following discussion applies to non-U.S. holders of the securities. A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of a security that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign corporation, or a foreign estate or trust.

Except as described below, a non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the securities, provided that (i) the holder complies with any applicable certification requirements, (ii) the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the holder of a U.S. trade or business, and (iii) if the holder is a non-resident alien individual, such holder is not present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange or maturity of the securities. In the case of (ii) above, the holder generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to any income or gain in the same manner as if the holder were a U.S. holder and, in the case of a holder that is a corporation, the holder may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a U.S. trade or business, subject to certain adjustments. Payments made to a non-U.S. holder may be subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless the holder complies with applicable certification and identification requirements as to its foreign status.

Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States. Such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference, directly or indirectly, an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2025. Based on our determination that the securities are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the securities. However, it is possible that the securities could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the underlying index or the securities (for example, upon the underlying index rebalancing), and following such occurrence the securities could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the underlying index or the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the securities and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable withholding agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the securities to become subject to withholding tax, we (or the applicable withholding agent) will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate. The IRS has also indicated that it is considering whether income in respect of instruments such as the securities should be subject to withholding tax. We will not be required to pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends, and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits, and income (“Withholdable Payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to collect and provide to the U.S. Treasury Department certain information regarding U.S. financial account holders, including certain account holders that are

foreign entities with U.S. owners, with such institution or otherwise complies with FATCA. In addition, the securities may constitute a “financial account” for these purposes and thus, may be subject to information reporting requirements pursuant to FATCA. FATCA also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity, unless that entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

The U.S. Treasury Department has proposed regulations that eliminate the requirement of FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds upon the sale or disposition of financial instruments. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization, and the discussion above assumes the proposed regulations will be finalized in their proposed form with retroactive effect. If we (or the applicable withholding agent) determine withholding is appropriate with respect to the securities, tax will be withheld at the applicable statutory rate, and we will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Therefore, if such withholding applies, any payments on the securities will be significantly less than what you would have otherwise received. Depending on your circumstances, these amounts withheld may be creditable or refundable to you. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the securities.

Use of Proceeds and Hedging

The net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus and to hedge market risks of Royal Bank of Canada associated with its obligation to make the payment at maturity on the securities. The initial public offering price of the securities includes the underwriting discount and commission and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the securities.

Supplemental Information Regarding Plan of Distribution;

Conflicts of Interest

Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, RBCCM, an affiliate of Royal Bank of Canada, will purchase the securities from Royal Bank of Canada for distribution to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. RBCCM will act as agent for the securities and will receive a fee of $2.50 per $1,000 stated principal amount, which will be paid to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as a structuring fee.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management may reclaim selling concessions allowed to individual brokers within Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in connection with the offering if, within 30 days of the offering, Royal Bank of Canada repurchases the securities distributed by such brokers.

Delivery of the securities will be made against payment for the securities on October 11, 2023, which is the third business day following the pricing date (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the securities more than two business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

In addition, RBCCM or another of its affiliates or agents may use this document in market-making transactions after the initial sale of the securities, but is under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice.

For additional information as to the relationship between us and RBCCM, please see the section “Plan of Distribution—Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying prospectus.

The value of the securities shown on your account statement may be based on RBCCM’s estimate of the value of the securities if RBCCM or another of our affiliates were to make a market in the securities (which it is not obligated to do). That estimate will be based on the price that RBCCM may pay for the securities in light of then prevailing market conditions, our creditworthiness and transaction costs. For an initial period of approximately 24 months, the value of the securities that may be shown on your account statement is expected to be higher than RBCCM’s estimated value of the securities at that time. This is because the estimated value of the securities will not include the agent’s commission and our hedging costs and profits; however, the value of the securities shown on your account statement during that period is initially expected to be a higher amount, reflecting the addition of the agent’s commission and our estimated costs and profits from hedging the securities. This excess is expected to decrease over time until the end of this period, and we reserve the right to shorten this period. After this period, if RBCCM repurchases your securities, it expects to do so at prices that reflect its estimated value.

Each of MSWM and any other broker-dealer offering the securities have not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any of the securities to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities, and a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (b) a customer, within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) No 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

Each of MSWM and any other broker-dealer offering the securities have not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any of the securities to, any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

Structuring the Securities

The securities are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the underlying index. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our structured notes, the economic terms of the securities reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these securities at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. Using this relatively lower implied borrowing rate, rather than the secondary market rate, along with the fees and expenses associated with structured notes, reduced the initial estimated value of the securities at the time their terms were set. Unlike the estimated value that is set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, any value of the securities determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction may be based on a different funding rate, which may result in a lower value for the securities than if our initial internal funding rate were used.

In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the securities, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) on the issue date with RBCCM or one of our other subsidiaries. The terms of these hedging arrangements take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the underlying index, and the tenor of the securities. The economic terms of the securities and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

The lower implied borrowing rate, the underwriting commission and the hedging-related costs relating to the securities reduced the economic terms of the securities to you and resulted in the initial estimated value for the securities on the pricing date being less than their public offering price. See “Risk Factors—The initial estimated value of the securities is less than the price to the public” above.