While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have quit royal life in 2020, it seems the couple are keen to keep the door to royal duties open for their children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four. Since leaving royal life behind five years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not been shy when it comes to criticising the monarchy.
However, while they have projected strong feelings about the Firm, it seems that they are keen for their children to partake in royal duties when they are older if they wish. This was reported on earlier this month in The Guardian, with the paper saying they understand that Prince Harry wants to keep the HRH titles for his children so that they can decide for themselves whether they want to become working royals.
While Harry, 40, may want his children to have this option, it is believed that this same sentiment isn’t echoed in the UK.
As reported by Hello!, the monarchy and who holds HRH titles could be changed even more under Prince William, 43, when he takes to the throne.
It is also believed to be likely that William will continue in the same direction as his father King Charles, 76, by keeping the monarchy slimmed down.
This means that Harry’s hopes for his children and the possibility of them working as royals could be “unlikely”.
According to The Sunday Times, William plans to “tidy up” certain parts of the monarchy when he becomes King, which could include formally revoking the HRH styles from his estranged brother Prince Harry, 40, along with his wife Meghan and their children.
As reported by The Sunday Times, the idea that Archie and Lilibet could keep their HRH styles or take part in royal duties when they are older has prompted “bemusement in royal circles”.
William himself has not spoken publicly about this and has avoided even addressing the rumoured rift he has with his brother Harry, including the fact the pair are reportedly no longer on speaking terms.
Instead, the first-in-line to the throne has remained committed to royal duty, giving only small signs away about how he plans to reign as King, including the doing royal “with maybe a smaller r “.
The prince explained this after a royal visit to Cape Town last year, saying he wants to lead with “empathy” and focus on “helping people”.