October 2023 MSELN561-MXEF-TP Registration Statement No. 333-259205 Preliminary Pricing Supplement Dated October 13, 2023 Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Trigger PLUS Based on the Performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index due November 4, 2026

Trigger Performance Leveraged Upside Securities^SM

Principal at Risk Securities

The Trigger PLUS are senior unsecured obligations of Royal Bank of Canada, do not pay interest, do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity and have the terms described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, as supplemented or modified by this document. At maturity, if the level of the underlying index has increased, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment plus a return reflecting the leveraged upside performance of the underlying index. If the level of the underlying index has decreased, but by no more than 20%, investors will receive the stated principal. However, if the level of the underlying index has decreased by more than 20%, investors will lose 1% of the stated principal amount for every 1% decline in the final index level from the initial index level. The Trigger PLUS are for investors who seek an equity index-based return and who are willing to risk their principal and forgo current income in exchange for the leveraged upside feature, which applies to a limited range of positive performance of the underlying index. Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the Trigger PLUS. The Trigger PLUS are senior notes issued as part of Royal Bank of Canada’s Global Medium-Term Notes, Series I program. All payments on the Trigger PLUS are subject to the credit risk of Royal Bank of Canada.

The pricing date, the issue date and the other dates set forth above are subject to change, and will be set forth in the pricing supplement relating to the Trigger PLUS.

The initial estimated value of the Trigger PLUS as of the pricing date is expected to be between $900.43 and $950.43 per $1,000 Trigger PLUS, and will be less than the price to the public. The final pricing supplement relating to the Trigger PLUS will set forth our estimate of the initial value of the Trigger PLUS as of the pricing date. The market value of the Trigger PLUS at any time will reflect many factors, cannot be predicted with accuracy, and may be less than this amount.

An investment in the Trigger PLUS involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6 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 Trigger PLUS” in this document.

Investment Summary

Trigger Performance Leveraged Upside Securities

Principal at Risk Securities

The Trigger PLUS Based on the Performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index due November 4, 2026 (the “Trigger PLUS”) can be used:

The Trigger PLUS are exposed on a 1:1 basis to the negative performance of the underlying index if the final index level is less than the trigger level.

Maturity:	Approximately three years
Leverage factor:	124% (applicable only if the final index level is greater than the initial index level)
Trigger level:	80% of the initial index level
Minimum payment at maturity:	None. Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the Trigger PLUS.
Coupon:	None

Key Investment Rationale

These Trigger PLUS offer leveraged upside exposure to the positive performance of the underlying index. In exchange for enhanced performance of 124% of the appreciation of the underlying index, investors are fully exposed to the risk of loss of all or a significant portion of their investment if the final index level is less than the trigger level. At maturity, if the level of the underlying index has increased, investors will receive the stated principal amount of their investment plus a return reflecting the leveraged upside performance of the underlying index. If the level of the underlying index has decreased, but by no more than 20%, investors will receive the stated principal amount. However, if the level of the underlying index has decreased by more than 20%, investors will lose 1% of the principal amount for every 1% decline in the final index level from the initial index level. Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the Trigger PLUS.

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 Trigger PLUS are a part. This document, together with these documents, contains the terms of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS and seeking offers to buy the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS.

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.

The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website atwww.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll-free 1-877-688-2301.

How the Trigger PLUS Work

Payoff Diagram

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

How it works

Risk Factors

An investment in the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS are also exposed to further risks related to the issuer of the Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS. You should carefully consider whether the Trigger PLUS are appropriate for you in light of your particular circumstances.

Risks Relating to the Terms and Structure of the Trigger PLUS

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

Trigger PLUS even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS

The value of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from the initial estimated value of your Trigger PLUS.

Risks Relating to the Secondary Market for the Trigger PLUS

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 Trigger PLUS if you sell your Trigger PLUS prior 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 Trigger PLUS. 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 Trigger PLUS.

events and the selection of a successor index or the calculation of 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 Trigger PLUS” below.

Additional Terms of the Trigger PLUS

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 the index sponsor. The index sponsor, 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 the index sponsor discontinuing publication of the underlying index are discussed above in the section entitled “Additional Terms of the Trigger PLUS—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.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index ("MXEF")

The MXEF is intended to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index with a base date of December 31, 1987 and an initial value of 100. The index is calculated daily in U.S. dollars and published in real time every 60 seconds during market trading hours. The MXEF currently consists of the following emerging market country indices: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

As of the close on May 31, 2018, MSCI began a multi-step process to include, in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, large cap China A shares that are not in trading suspension. As part of the first step of the inclusion process, which resulted from the May 2018 quarterly review, MSCI added such large cap China A shares to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index at 2.5% of their foreign inclusion factor-adjusted market capitalization. In connection with the August 2018 quarterly index review, MSCI implemented the second step of the inclusion process by increasing the foreign inclusion factor-adjusted market capitalization of those existing China A share constituents from 2.5% to 5%. With the implementation of this second step, and the inclusion of additional China A shares in connection with the August 2018 quarterly index review, China A shares were initially expected to represent approximately 0.75% of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. In February 2019, MSCI announced a three-step process between May 2019 and November 2019 that would increase the number of Chinese A shares in the Underlying. In January 2021, in response to an executive order from the U.S. government which prohibited investments in certain Chinese securities, MSCI removed 10 Chinese securities from the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which accounted for less than 1% of the index weight. As of September 29, 2023, Chinese securities represented 29.99% of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices. MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves:

Defining the Equity Universe. The equity universe is defined by:

Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes. A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by identifying eligible listings for each security in the equity universe, and by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is equivalent to a single country, except in DM Europe, where all DM countries in Europe are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes. Subsequently, individual DM Europe country indices within the MSCI Europe Index are derived from the constituents of the MSCI Europe Index under the global investable market indices methodology.

A security may be listed in the country where it is classified (i.e. local listing) and/or in a different country (i.e. “foreign listing”). Securities may be represented by either a local or foreign listing. A security may be represented by a foreign listing only if:

The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are as follows:

Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market. Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size-based indices:

Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices. In order to achieve index continuity, as well as to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules described in this section, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a DM Standard Index and a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an EM Standard Index.

Creating Style Indices within Each Size Segment. All securities in the investable equity universe are classified into value or growth segments using the MSCI Global Value and Growth methodology. Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard. All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with S&P Dow Jones Indexes, the GICS. Under the GICS, each company is assigned to one sub−industry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong to only one industry grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.

Calculation Methodology for the Index

The performance of the Underlying is a free float weighted average of the U.S. dollar values of its component securities.

Prices used to calculate the component securities are the official exchange closing prices or prices accepted as such in the relevant market. In the case of a market closure, or if a security does not trade on a specific day or during a specific period, MSCI carries forward the previous day’s price (or latest available closing price). In the event of a market outage resulting in any component security price to be unavailable, MSCI will generally use the last reported price for such component security for the purpose of performance calculation unless MSCI determines that another price is more appropriate based on the circumstances. Closing prices are converted into U.S. dollars, as applicable, using the closing exchange rates calculated by WM/Reuters at 4:00 P.M. London Time.

Index Maintenance

The MSCI global investable market indices are maintained with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to achieve index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, index stability, and low index turnover. In particular, index maintenance involves:

(i) Semi-Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”) in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices which include:

(ii) Quarterly Index Reviews (“QIRs”) in February and August of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:

(iii) Ongoing Event-Related Changes: changes of this type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the company’s tenth day of trading.

None of us, RBCCM or any of our other affiliates accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in, the Underlying or any successor to the Underlying.

License Agreement

We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with MSCI providing for the license to us and certain of our affiliated or subsidiary companies, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by MSCI (including the Underlying) in connection with certain securities, including the Trigger PLUS offered hereby.

The license agreement between us and MSCI requires that the following language be stated in this document:

THE TRIGGER PLUS ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI INC. (“MSCI”), ANY AFFILIATE OF MSCI OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX. THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY ROYAL BANK OF CANADA AND ITS AFFILIATES. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE OWNERS OF THE TRIGGER PLUS OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN FINANCIAL SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE TRIGGER PLUS PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO THE TRIGGER PLUS OR THE ISSUER OR OWNER OF THE TRIGGER PLUS. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUERS OR OWNERS OF THE TRIGGER PLUS INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NEITHER MSCI, ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THE TRIGGER PLUS TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY WHICH THE TRIGGER PLUS ARE REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, THE MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE OWNERS OF THE TRIGGER PLUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF THE TRIGGER PLUS.

ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDEXES FROM SOURCES WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, LICENSEE’S CUSTOMERS OR COUNTERPARTIES, ISSUERS OF THE TRIGGER PLUS, OWNERS OF THE TRIGGER PLUS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO ANY MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

No purchaser, seller or holder of the Trigger PLUS, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trade mark or service mark rights to sponsor, endorse, market or promote the Trigger PLUS without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.

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 11, 2023. The graph below sets forth the daily closing levels of the underlying index for that period.

We obtained the information below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification.

You should not take the historical levels of the underlying index as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the level of the underlying index on the valuation date.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index

Information as of market close on October 11, 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. It does not purport to be a complete analysis of all tax considerations relating to the Trigger PLUS. Prospective purchasers of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS and receiving payments under the Trigger PLUS. 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 TRIGGER PLUS 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 TRIGGER PLUS 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 TRIGGER PLUS, 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 the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS require a holder (in the absence of a change in law or an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the Trigger PLUS for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. If the Trigger PLUS are so treated, a U.S. holder should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the Trigger PLUS in an amount equal to the difference between the amount a holder receives at such time and the holder’s tax basis in the Trigger PLUS. In general, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the Trigger PLUS will be equal to the price the holder paid for the Trigger PLUS. 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS, and the IRS might assert that the Trigger PLUS should be treated, as a single debt instrument. Pursuant to such characterization, since the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS are so treated, a holder would generally be required to accrue interest income over the term of the Trigger PLUS based upon the yield at which we would issue a non-contingent

fixed-rate debt instrument with terms and conditions similar to the Trigger PLUS. In addition, any gain a holder might recognize upon the sale, exchange or maturity of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS, and thereafter, would be capital loss.

Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the Trigger PLUS, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.

The IRS has released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the Trigger PLUS. According to the notice, the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument such as the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS, including the timing and character of income and gain on the Trigger PLUS. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations. We intend to treat the Trigger PLUS 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.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. Payments made with respect to the Trigger PLUS and proceeds from the sale or exchange of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of a Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS. 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 Trigger PLUS are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend

equivalent payments, if any, under the Trigger PLUS. However, it is possible that the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS (for example, upon an underlying index rebalancing), and following such occurrence the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS.

Use of Proceeds and Hedging

The net proceeds from the sale of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. The initial public offering price of the Trigger PLUS includes the underwriting discount and commission and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the Trigger PLUS.

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 Trigger PLUS from Royal Bank of Canada for distribution to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. RBCCM will act as agent for the Trigger PLUS and will receive a fee of up to $30.00 per $1,000 stated principal amount and will pay to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management a fixed sales commission of up to $25.00 for each of the Trigger PLUS they sell. Of the amount per $1,000 stated principal amount received by RBCCM, RBCCM will pay Morgan Stanley Wealth Management a structuring fee of $5.00 for each Trigger PLUS. The costs included in the original issue price of the Trigger PLUS will include a fee paid by RBCCM to LFT Securities, LLC, an entity in which an affiliate of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has an ownership interest, for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering.

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 Trigger PLUS distributed by such brokers.

We expect that delivery of the Trigger PLUS will be made against payment for the Trigger PLUS on or about November 3, 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS shown on your account statement may be based on RBCCM’s estimate of the value of the Trigger PLUS if RBCCM or another of our affiliates were to make a market in the Trigger PLUS (which it is not obligated to do). That estimate will be based on the price that RBCCM may pay for the Trigger PLUS in light of then prevailing market conditions, our creditworthiness and transaction costs. For an initial period of approximately eighteen months, the value of the Trigger PLUS that may be shown on your account statement is expected to be higher than RBCCM’s estimated value of the Trigger PLUS at that time. This is because the estimated value of the Trigger PLUS will not include the agent’s commission and our hedging costs and profits; however, the value of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS. 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 Trigger PLUS, it expects to do so at prices that reflect its estimated value.

Each of MSWM and any other broker-dealer offering the Trigger PLUS have not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS or otherwise making them available to retail

investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS have not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Trigger PLUS or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

Structuring the Trigger PLUS

The Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS 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, typically reduces the initial estimated value of the Trigger PLUS at the time their terms are set. Unlike the estimated value that will be included in the final pricing supplement, any value of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS than if our initial internal funding rate were used.

In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the Trigger PLUS, 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 Trigger PLUS. The economic terms of the Trigger PLUS 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 Trigger PLUS reduce the economic terms of the Trigger PLUS to you and result in the initial estimated value for the Trigger PLUS on the pricing date being less than their public offering price. See “Risk Factors—The initial estimated value of the Trigger PLUS will be less than the price to the public” above.

---