Opening
Recently there has been much discussion around Prince Harry and his decision to step back as a senior royal. This has raised questions around which British prince is no longer considered a “working royal” and what this means for the royal family.
Who is Prince Harry?
Prince Harry, duke of Sussex is the younger son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana. He is sixth in line to the British throne. Harry spent 10 years serving in the British Army, including two tours in Afghanistan. In 2018, he married American actress Meghan Markle. The couple have two children together – Archie and Lilibet.
Why did Prince Harry step back from royal duties?
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they were stepping back as senior members of the royal family. They stated their desire to become financially independent and split their time between North America and the UK.
There were several speculated reasons behind this dramatic decision:
- Harry and Meghan wanted to escape intense media scrutiny in the UK and raise their son Archie in a more peaceful environment.
- Meghan struggled to adapt to the constraints of royal life and protocol.
- There were rumored tensions between Harry/Meghan and other royal family members.
- The couple wanted greater freedom over their lives and work without being classed as working royals.
What does this mean for Prince Harry’s role?
As part of stepping back, Harry agreed to no longer carry out duties on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. This means:
- Harry and Meghan are no longer addressed as HRH (His/Her Royal Highness).
- They do not represent the Queen at official events.
- They cannot use the word “royal” in their branding or earn income through royal duties.
- Harry relinquished his honorary military appointments.
- They do not receive public funding for royal work.
However, Harry remains a prince and sixth in line to the throne. He and Meghan retained their private patronages and the right to occasionally represent the monarchy.
How has Prince Harry’s role changed since stepping back?
Since relocating to California in 2020, Harry and Meghan have focused on:
- Financial independence – The couple have signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify to produce content.
- Philanthropy – Their non-profit Archewell Foundation supports causes like vaccine equity, mental health, and online hate speech.
- Speaking engagements – Harry and Meghan have given high-profile interviews and spoken at events like Global Citizen Live.
- New career pursuits – Harry announced he is writing a memoir to be released in 2022.
Harry has returned to the UK on occasions to attend family events like Prince Philip’s funeral. However, he missed the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
How has the royal family responded?
The royal family were said to be “hurt” and “disappointed” by Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back. However, they recognized the couple’s desire for change:
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.” – Queen Elizabeth II
Since the exit, relations between Harry/Meghan and the royals are reported to be strained. Yet Harry has emphasized his respect for the Queen and desire to still support her.
What is Prince Harry’s current royal status?
While Prince Harry remains a member of the royal family, he no longer carries out official duties as a working royal. Key points:
- He is not a “senior royal” but maintains his prince title and lineage.
- He does not represent or receive funding from the monarchy.
- He has financial freedom to pursue his own interests and career.
- He remains 6th in line to the throne and attends some family events.
How does this compare to other royals?
Prince Harry now has greater freedom compared to working royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton who must always represent the Queen. However, Harry faces more constraints than non-royals like Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips.
See comparisons:
| Royal | Current role & status |
|---|---|
| Prince William | Working royal who carries out full-time duties. Future heir to the throne after Prince Charles. |
| Kate Middleton | Working royal who attends engagements alongside Prince William after marrying into the family. |
| Prince Harry | No longer a working royal. Pursues independent career but retains prince title and limited royal links. |
| Zara Tindall | Member of the extended royal family. Does not hold a prince/princess title and pursues her own equestrian career. |
| Peter Phillips | The Queen’s eldest grandchild but does not have a royal title. Works in sports management and marketing. |
Conclusion
In summary, Prince Harry stepped back from being a senior working royal in 2020 to pursue greater freedom and financial independence. He now balances his private career and philanthropic interests with occasional royal duties. Harry retains his title but no longer represents the Queen as an official royal. However, he remains part of the royal family.