Prince William is preparing to step into his future role as king without the support of his younger brother, Prince Harry, a decision royal experts are calling a “great loss” for the heir to the throne.
According to royal commentator Jennie Bond, the Prince of Wales has mentally and emotionally adjusted to a monarchy in which Harry, once his “wingman,” no longer has a place.
Prince William ‘cuts Prince Harry out of future monarchy’
“I don’t think Harry figures in William’s plans at all,” Jennie told The Mirror. “It is a very sad situation. Harry was his wingman and would have been the brother he could rely on when he takes on the very heavy responsibility of being king.”
Before stepping down as a senior royal in 2020, Harry was expected to play a key role in William’s future reign, a support system similar to the relationship Princess Anne shares with her brother King Charles today.
“Harry would have had an extremely senior role and been the sibling, friend, supporter, and sounding board that the Princess Royal is now to her brother,” Jennie said. “It is a great loss for William, but one which I think he has now accepted.”
With Harry out of the royal fold, William is reportedly turning to other trusted relatives, particularly his cousins Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie, to help shoulder the load of a slimmed-down monarchy in the years to come.
Among the most likely to step into a new informal role is Zara, daughter of Princess Anne.
Jennie believes she may take over royal duties related to horse racing.
“There will be so many demands on William’s time when he is king. I think it’s a brilliant idea,” Jennie explained. “She lives and breathes horses. She’s also extremely glamorous and well-liked. It would be a perfect fit.”
Unlike their late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, or their father, King Charles, William and Kate are apparently less interested in horse racing, making Zara a natural choice.
Prince of Wales’ monarchy
As for William, Jennie believes he is crafting a modern approach grounded in action rather than pageantry.
Although he deeply admired his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and learned much from her, Jennie believes William’s reign will be far less about tradition and more about tangible impact.
She added that William does not want to be a “figurehead”.
It is a great loss for William, but one which I think he has now accepted.
She said she doesn’t believe he’s “entirely comfortable with all the pomp” and has to “strike a balance”.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry was noticeably absent from the royal family’s Armed Forces Day tribute. This is despite his decade of military service, including two tours in Afghanistan.
With older working royals eventually stepping back, William’s long-term strategy includes bringing in younger relatives, but not his brother.
