Prince Harry stating his primary residence in the US will further alienate him from the Royal Family and royal duties, an expert has warned.
Prince Harry’s departure from official Royal Family duties has taken a definitive turn as his residency change to the United States indicates a shift away from Britain’s royal circles, a royal expert has explained.
The Duke and his wife Meghan Markle, settled in Montecito, California, in January 2020, stepping back from their senior roles as working royals.
Initially perceived as a temporary move, recent developments have solidified their relocation’s permanence. Royal expert Tom Quinn pointed out the broader shifts in royal responsbilities due to this residency adjustment.
He told The Mirror: “There are more profound implications of the change of main residence – because he is a prince of the royal blood and still fifth in line to the throne, Harry is, in theory, still a counsellor of state, charged with carrying out the official duties of the monarch should King Charles become incapacitated.
“For Harry, that is now impossible.”
Harry and Meghan have been raising their children in their Montecito home (Image: Getty)
A notable disclosure emerged from a filing by Harry’s eco-travel venture, Travalyst, unveiling his primary residence as the United States.
This revelation shed light on a substantial change occurring on June 29, 2023 when Harry and Meghan officially vacated their royal residence, Frogmore Cottage.
Quinn referenced a statement made in 2022 from the crown to Parliament stipulating that only working members of the Royal Family would be called upon to fill in for the monarch.
He explained: “That leaves Harry out in the cold where he thinks he wants to be – for now. With his change of primary residence, Harry is saying: ‘If Britain doesn’t want me, then I don’t want Britain.’”
This revelation aligns with earlier developments this year, where it was quietly announced that Prince Harry, along with his uncle Prince Andrew, would not be summoned to carry out official royal duties, despite being named Counsellors of State.
A legislative bill enacted in December 2022 specified that only “working members of the Royal Family will be called on to act as Counsellors of State,” effectively excluding Harry and Andrew, who have distanced themselves from royal obligations.
Moreover, it emerged that Princess Anne and Prince Edward were designated Counsellors of State for life, prepared to step in for King Charles in case of his inability to attend public events, further solidifying the shift away from Harry’s formal royal role.