Prince Harryโs position as fifth in line to the British throne may be under threat, according to insiders familiar with ongoing discussions within the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussexโs permanent residence outside the UK and his absence from royal duties have sparked debates about his continued inclusion in the line of succession.
Sources suggest that this yearโs summit at Balmoral, where key decisions regarding the Royal Family are often made, could see discussions not only about Prince Harry and Meghan Markleโs titles but also about their removal from the line of succession. A well-placed source disclosed, โThe order of succession can be altered by statute if a member of the Royal Family permanently resides outside the UK and no longer undertakes royal duties. If that were to happen, Harryโs children could also be removed from the line of succession.โ
Constitutional expert Robert Blackburn, a professor of constitutional law at Kingโs College London, has weighed in on the situation. Speaking toย Express.co.uk, Blackburn noted that while living abroad does not legally disqualify Prince Harry from becoming monarch, an Act of Parliament could indeed remove him from the line of succession. โLike Edward VIII, Prince Harry does not wish to perform the role of royalty expected of him and has withdrawn to live abroad. Presumably, therefore, Prince Harry would be agreeable to abdicate his place in succession if for any reason this became an issue in royal affairs being legislated upon,โ Blackburn explained.
Historical precedents, such as the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936, demonstrate that Parliament has the authority to amend the order of succession. Blackburn elaborated that any such constitutional measure would typically be initiated by the British Government, not the monarch. โBackbench MPs or Peers can technically introduce a Private Membersโ Bill on the subject, but it would get nowhere and be blocked by the government from proceeding further than a formal First Reading,โ he said.
However, Blackburn suggested a possible scenario where a government bill dealing with another royal issue, such as amendments to the Regency Act, could include a clause requested by Prince Harry himself, effectively removing him from the line of succession. This would align with Harryโs apparent wish to fully relinquish his ties to the public duties of the monarchy.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step down as senior working royals in January 2020, stating their intention to become financially independent. However, their actions since moving to the United States, including the controversial Oprah Winfrey interview, the Netflix documentary, and Harryโs memoirย Spare, have strained their relationship with the Royal Family.
The coupleโs recent tour of Colombia, where they focused on issues such as cyberbullying and female empowerment, reportedly further fueled tensions within the royal ranks. As the Balmoral summit looms, the future of Prince Harryโs place in the royal line of succession remains uncertain, with the possibility of a significant constitutional shift on the horizon.