Prince Harry is not trusted enough to be included in talks with the Royal Family about the line of succession, according to a royal author, who explained the “real reason” behing the Duke’s latest snub.
While his older brother Prince William is said to be at the “heart” of any discussions with King Charles, Harry has been left out in the cold after he and Meghan Markle left the royals for a new life in Montecito, California in 2020.
Questions about the future of the monarchy have been raised after the King was diagnosed with cancer, however his prognosis is thought to be good.
Royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “Harry is definitely not being included in succession talks because he is no longer a working or even a trusted royal – he has got his wish and is no longer the spare, or at least he is only nominally the spare. This may well be a case of ‘beware you get what you wish for!'”
Charles has been receiving treatment for his cancer in London and returning to Sandringham to rest, although he has been carrying out private royal duties when he can.
Mr Quinn added: “Officials had assumed Charles would remain healthy at least into his mid-eighties before succession planning would need to begin but in fact it has now begun.”
Talks about the succession will be top-secret, and with Harry’s habit of speaking to the media about his family it seems unlikely they would trust him with private information.
Just last month the Duke of Sussex gave an interview to Good Morning America while he and Meghan were in Canada to celebrate the countdown until the Invictus Games 2025.
He told interviewer Will Reeve that he hoped to be able to spend more time in the UK in the coming months and maybe see his family.
Harry said: “I’ve got other trips planned that will take me through the UK, or back to the UK, and so I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can.”
The Sussexes could be back on British shores in a matter of weeks if they are to attend a 10 year anniversary service for the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Harry’s relationship with the King and rest of his UK family has been strained ever since he and Meghan moved to Montecito, with the publication of the Duke’s explosive memoir Spare only making matters worse.
But he still holds them close to his heart, as he explained in the interview: “Um, look, I love my family. The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him [King Charles] and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that.”
Last month Harry flew over to London to spend just 30 minutes with his father after hearing about his illness, before travelling back to California the next day.
