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Prince Harry “looks utterly miserable” and may miss a life of duty, a royal biographer has claimed. Royal author Hugo Vickers said that members of the Royal Family often fail to find happiness when they step away from their duties. He also implied that Prince Harry may be trying to “compete” with King Charles III, saying that “the most successful members of the Royal family” are those who “support” the monarch rather than “compete” with them.
He referenced the Duke of Windsor, the former King who abdicated after just 325 days on the throne after facing opposition to his marriage to Wallis Simpson.
The author said that both Prince Harry and Edward VIII “seemed to radiate sadness” after cutting ties with the Royal Family.
Speaking at the Henley Literary Festival, Mr Vickers said: “As for members of the Royal family stepping away, I don’t think it usually leads to happiness in the long run.
“I don’t think it did with the Duke of Windsor. As for the Duke of Sussex, who knows what is going to happen to him, but he looks utterly miserable.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in March 2020.
Since then, they have only returned to the UK together three times.
Fellow royal author Tina Brown said that the couple appeared to be “uncomfortable” when they returned to Britain for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June.
The couple played a minimal role in the celebrations, making just one public appearance at the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.
“I think there was a slight fantasy that he had that he can be in and out. But you can’t pick and choose and you can’t be in and out.
“He served his country for 10 years, he was always in the middle of all that and I think it must have been, for him, quite poignant and difficult.”
Mr Vickers, the Duke of Kent’s biographer, also criticised King Charles III’s vision for a slimmed-down monarchy.
He said: “I don’t see how you can have a slimmed-down monarchy. Because people do want members of the Royal family, particularly if it’s to do with charity.
“You do need members of the Royal family to do these things. They do perform a very, very useful role.”
Royal commentator Camilla Tominey said that Charles’ vision for a “slimmed-down monarchy” is an attempt to promote his image as a “frugal” monarch.
She told the Telegraph: “There’s this sense that he wants a slimmed-down monarchy to make sure that everybody is doing their bit and that there are no, so-called, ‘hangers-on’.
“I think this is Charles’ attempt to basically look like he has inherited his mother’s habit for being frugal – turning off light switches and being green – and generally being good value for money.”
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