Prince Harry has been defended by a former royal butler after reports that he has been “left out” of plans for the future of the monarchy.
The Duke of Sussex is still one of the King’s counsellors of state – despite having not been a working royal for the past four years. The 39-year-old is is said to have not been included in “highly secret” discussions about succession plans.
Grant Harrold, who worked for the Royal Family for seven years, said: “It doesn’t make sense [why Harry wouldn’t be involved].”
Speaking of Harry’s role as a counsellor of state, the former butler said: “Harry is still [a] counsellor of state and privy to top-secret information because technically he is able to step in for the King, so it doesn’t make sense why he wouldn’t be kept in the loop.
“If he wasn’t still counsellor of state then that would be a very different matter.”
Speaking to the New York Post on behalf of Slingo, Mr Harrold added: “The King has or definitely had a close relationship with Harry — if this is true, I can’t understand why the King wouldn’t want to share his plans.
“Maybe there’s this feeling not to share following all the documentaries and interviews Harry has done. However, his recent meeting with the King, Harry hasn’t shared details of that.”
Previously speaking to the Mirror, author and royal expert Tom Quinn said that it was Prince William – and not the King – who is “at the heart” of the discussions surrounding the monarchy’s future.
Speaking of Harry, Mr Quinn added: “Succession planning is highly secret and no one trusts Harry to be part of it for the simple reason that if he feels in any way slighted or not given what he feels he deserves he will run straight to the media.”
