Subject to Completion Dated December 19, 2024

December 2024 Preliminary Pricing Supplement dated December    , 2024 Registration Statement No. 333-275898 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS

Opportunities in U.S. Equities

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due January 2, 2026

With the Coupon and Payment at Maturity Subject to the Performance of the Common Stock of U.S. Bancorp

Principal at Risk Securities

Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do not guarantee the payment of interest or the return of the full principal amount at maturity. Instead, the securities offer the opportunity for investors to receive a contingent quarterly coupon equal to 3.025% of the stated principal amount (a rate of 12.10% per annum), but only with respect to each determination date on which the closing value of the underlier is greater than or equal to 80% of the initial underlier value, which we refer to as the downside threshold value. If on any determination date the closing value of the underlier is less than the downside threshold value, you will not receive any contingent quarterly coupon for the relevant quarterly period. If the closing value of the underlier is greater than or equal to the redemption threshold value (which will be equal to 100% of the initial underlier value) on any determination date (other than the final determination date), the securities will be automatically redeemed for an amount per security equal to the stated principal amount and the contingent quarterly coupon otherwise due. No further payments will be made on the securities after they have been redeemed. At maturity, if the securities have not previously been redeemed and the final underlier value is greater than or equal to the downside threshold value, the payment at maturity will be the stated principal amount and the contingent quarterly coupon otherwise due. However, if the final underlier value is less than the downside threshold value on the final determination date, investors will lose 1% of the stated principal amount for every 1% that the final underlier value is less than the initial underlier value and will receive a payment at maturity that is less than 80% of the stated principal amount and could be zero. Investors in the securities must be willing to accept the risk of losing their entire principal and the risk of not receiving any contingent quarterly coupons. The securities are for investors who are willing and able to risk their principal and forgo guaranteed interest payments, in exchange for the opportunity to potentially receive contingent quarterly coupons at an above-market rate, subject to automatic early redemption. Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlier. The securities are senior unsecured debt securities issued as part of Royal Bank of Canada’s Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series J 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 $17.50 per security and will pay to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (“MSWM”) a fixed sales commission of $12.50 for each security. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.

⁽²⁾ Of the amount received by RBCCM, acting as agent for Royal Bank of Canada, RBCCM will pay MSWM a structuring fee of $5.00 for each security.

The initial estimated value of the securities determined by us as of the pricing date, which we refer to as the initial estimated value, is expected to be between $927.22 and $977.22 per security and will be less than the public offering price of the securities. The final pricing supplement relating to the securities will set forth the initial estimated value. 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. We describe the determination of the initial estimated value in more detail below.

An investment in the securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 8 of this document and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement and product supplement.

You should read this document together with the documents listed below, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below, before you decide to invest. Please also see “Additional Information about the Securities” in this document.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), 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. governmental agency or instrumentality. The securities are not bail-inable notes and are not subject to conversion into our common shares under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.

Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities due January 2, 2026

With the Coupon and Payment at Maturity Subject to the Performance of the Common Stock of U.S. Bancorp

Principal at Risk Securities

Determination Dates and Contingent Payment Dates*

* Subject to postponement. See “General Terms of the Notes—Postponement of a Determination Date” and “General Terms of the Notes—Postponement of a Payment Date” in the accompanying product supplement.

Key Investment Rationale

The securities offer the opportunity for investors to receive a contingent quarterly coupon equal to 3.025% of the stated principal amount (a rate of 12.10% per annum), but only with respect to each determination date on which the closing value of the underlier is greater than or equal to 80% of the initial underlier value, which we refer to as the downside threshold value. The securities may be redeemed prior to maturity for the stated principal amount plus the contingent quarterly coupon otherwise due, and the payment at maturity will vary depending on the final underlier value, as demonstrated in scenarios 2 and 3 below.

Investors may lose their entire investment. The securities are for investors who are willing and able to risk their principal and forgo guaranteed interest payments, in exchange for the opportunity to potentially receive contingent quarterly coupons at an above-market rate, subject to automatic early redemption.

Additional Information

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated December 20, 2023, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated December 20, 2023, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series J, of which the securities are a part, and the product supplement no. 1A dated May 16, 2024. 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, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials of ours.

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this document and the documents listed below. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. These documents are an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in each such document is current only as of its date.

If the information in this document differs from the information contained in the documents listed below, 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 documents listed below, 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):

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000119312523299520/d645671d424b3.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000119312523299523/d638227d424b3.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000095010324006777/dp211286_424b2-ps1a.htm

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275. As used in this document, “Royal Bank of Canada,” the “Bank,” “we,” “our” and “us” mean only Royal Bank of Canada.

How the Securities Work

The following diagrams illustrate the potential outcomes for the securities depending on the closing value of the underlier on the determination date.

Diagram #1: Determination Dates Prior to the Final Determination Date

Diagram #2: Payment at Maturity if No Automatic Early Redemption Occurs

Hypothetical Examples

The examples below are based on the following terms:

In Examples 1 and 2, the closing value of the underlier fluctuates over the term of the securities and the closing value of the underlier is greater than or equal to the redemption threshold value on one of the determination dates prior to the final determination date. Because the closing value of the underlier is greater than or equal to the redemption threshold value on one of those determination dates, the securities are automatically redeemed following the relevant determination date. In Examples 3 and 4, the closing value of the underlier on each of the determination dates prior to the final determination date is less than the redemption threshold value, and, consequently, the securities are not automatically redeemed prior to, and remain outstanding until, maturity.

* If the securities are automatically redeemed, the early redemption payment will include the contingent quarterly coupon otherwise due.

stated principal amount + contingent quarterly coupon otherwise due = $1,000 + $30.25 = $1,030.25

In this example, the early redemption feature limits the term of your investment to approximately 3 months, and you may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. If the securities are redeemed early, you will stop receiving contingent quarterly coupons.

In this example, the early redemption feature limits the term of your investment to approximately 9 months and you may not be able to reinvest at comparable terms or returns. If the securities are redeemed early, you will stop receiving contingent quarterly coupons. Further, although the underlier has appreciated by 25% from its initial underlier value on the third determination date, you receive only the early redemption payment, and do not benefit from such appreciation.

* The final contingent quarterly coupon, if any, will be paid at maturity.

Examples 3 and 4 illustrate the payment at maturity per security based on the final underlier value.

$1,000 × ($55.00 / $100.00) = $550.00

In this example, the amount you receive at maturity is significantly less than the stated principal amount.

$1,000 + $30.25 = $1,030.25

In this example, although the final underlier value represents a 10% decline from the initial underlier value, you receive the stated principal amount per security plus the contingent quarterly coupon otherwise due, because the final underlier value is not less than the downside threshold value.

Risk Factors

An investment in the securities involves significant risks. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the securities. Some of the risks that apply to an investment in the securities are summarized below, but we urge you to read also the “Risk Factors” sections of the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement and product supplement. You should not purchase the securities unless you understand and can bear the risks of investing in the securities.

Risks Relating to the Terms and Structure of the Securities

Risks Relating to the Initial Estimated Value of the Securities and the Secondary Market for 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 the securities.

Risks Relating to Conflicts of Interest and Our Trading Activities

Risks Relating to the Underlier

Information about the Underlier

According to publicly available information, U.S. Bancorp is a financial services holding company that provides lending and depository services, cash management, capital markets and trust and investment management services. The company also engages in credit card services, merchant and ATM processing, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage and leasing.

The issuer of the underlier’s SEC file number is 001-06880. The underlier is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act are required to file financial and other information specified by the SEC periodically. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the issuer of the underlier can be located on a website maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov by reference to that issuer’s SEC file number provided above. Information from outside sources is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered part of, this document. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in outside sources.

The table below sets forth the published high and low closing values of the underlier for each quarter in the period from January 2, 2019 through December 17, 2024. The graph below sets forth the daily closing values of the underlier for that period. We obtained the information in the table and graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification. You should not take the historical performance of the underlier as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the value of the underlier on the determination dates.

Information as of market close on December 17, 2024:

Common Stock of U.S. Bancorp – Historical Closing Values January 2, 2019 to December 17, 2024

The red solid line in the graph above indicates a hypothetical downside threshold value based on the closing value of the underlier on December 17, 2024.

Additional Information about the Securities

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

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

You should review carefully the section in the accompanying product supplement entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” The following discussion, when read in combination with that section, constitutes the full opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities.

Generally, this discussion assumes that you purchased the securities for cash in the original issuance at the stated issue price and does not address other circumstances specific to you, including consequences that may arise due to any other investments relating to the underlier. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the effect any such circumstances may have on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your ownership of a security.

In the opinion of our counsel, which is based on current market conditions, it is reasonable to treat the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes as prepaid financial contracts with associated coupons, and any coupons as ordinary income, as described in the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—Notes Treated as Prepaid Financial Contracts with Associated Coupons” in the accompanying product supplement. There is uncertainty regarding this treatment, and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or a court might not agree with it. Moreover, because this treatment of the securities and our counsel’s opinion are based on market conditions as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, each is subject to confirmation on the pricing date. A different tax treatment could be adverse to you.

We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the treatment of the securities. An alternative characterization of the securities could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities, including the timing and character of income recognized. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations or other guidance. Furthermore, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect.

Non-U.S. Holders. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of the coupons is unclear. To the extent that we have withholding responsibility in respect of the securities, we would expect generally to treat the coupons as subject to U.S. withholding tax. Moreover, you should expect that, if the applicable withholding agent determines that withholding tax should apply, it will be at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). In order to claim an exemption from, or a reduction in, the 30% withholding under an applicable treaty, you may need to comply with certification requirements to establish that you are not a U.S. person and are eligible for such an exemption or reduction under an applicable tax treaty. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of the coupons.

As discussed under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders—Dividend Equivalents under Section 871(m) of the Code” in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities or indices that include U.S. equities. The Treasury regulations, as modified by an IRS notice, exempt financial instruments issued prior to January 1, 2027 that do not have a “delta” of one. Based on certain determinations made by us, we expect that Section 871(m) will not apply to the securities with regard to Non-U.S. Holders. Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. If necessary, further information regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) will be provided in the final pricing supplement for the securities.

We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to U.S. federal withholding taxes.

You should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments, as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences

You should read carefully the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to a Non-resident Holder owning debt securities under “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Tax Consequences in the accompanying product supplement.

Supplemental 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 MSWM. RBCCM will act as agent for the securities and will receive the fee specified on the front cover of this document and will pay to MSWM a fixed sales commission for each of the securities they sell as specified on the front cover of this document. Of the fee received by RBCCM, RBCCM will pay MSWM a structuring fee for each security as specified on the front cover of this document. The costs included in the original issue price of the securities will include a fee paid by RBCCM to LFT Securities, LLC, an entity in which an affiliate of MSWM has an ownership interest, for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering.

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

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 six months after the original issue date, 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.

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. Unless RBCCM or its agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this document is being used in a market-making transaction.

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

Structuring the Securities

The securities are our debt securities. 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. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under structured notes at a rate that is lower than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. The lower internal funding rate, the agent’s commission and the hedging-related costs relating to the securities reduce the economic terms of the securities to you and result in the initial estimated value for the securities being less than their public offering price. Unlike the initial estimated value, any value of the securities determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction may be based on a second market 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) with RBCCM and/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, volatility and the tenor of the securities. The economic terms of the securities and the initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Initial Estimated Value of the Securities and the Secondary Market for the Securities—The initial estimated value of the securities will be less than the public offering price” above.