Prince Harry is set for a “future of less and less importance” as chances of him returning to the royal folds continue to dwindle.
The Duke of Sussex stepped down from his official role nearly four years ago and in this period has repeatedly voiced criticism of senior Royal Family members.
Royal experts have warned it is unlikely Harry will ever get to resume his duties, or that he will share a close relationship with the King or his brother Prince William.
Author Jane Marguerite Tippett highlighted similarities between the Duke and his granduncle Edward VIII – but argued Harry won’t have the benefit of holding the same role in history as the former king.
Tippett said: “I think it will be a future of less and less importance in terms of who he is.
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“Edward had been a Prince of Wales for 25 years, he had been a king emperor – the aura of that lasted most of his life, but even by the end of it he was, of course, a much less consequential figure than he was, say in 1938 or ’39, when memories of him as the most important royal in the world were still very fresh.
“Prince Harry had a career of about five years as a working royal, this is so short.”
Speaking to 9Honey, the royal author noted Harry’s fame is mostly derived from his membership in the Royal Family – and the more distance between them, the less Harry will remain popular.
She added: “I think what you’ll find is that his importance is derived from the institution.
“The longer [Harry] is away from that institution, the less important he will be because he only has a position in relation to that.”
Tippett argued that the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle so far appear to be very much in step with Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson when it comes to life away from the monarchy.
She noted both couples attempted to negotiate a “half in-half out” deal with the Royal Family and both Edward and Harry swiftly struck huge book deals.
The Duke of Sussex released his memoir Spare in January, sparking uproar about multiple allegations he levelled at senior royals.
Edward VIII, who became the Duke of Windsor after his abdication, wrote his autobiography in 1947 but Tippett has now published a new memoir using the Duke’s writings.
The author, however, noted a significant difference between Harry and Edward’s memories of the Royal Family.
She added: “I think [Edward] was very careful to ensure that the material he left behind was not seen as catty, was not seen as trying to get back at the royal family in any way.”
