Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
‘No one wants to be king or queen’
Prince Harry talks of modernising monarchy
PRINCE Harry, 32, says no one in the royal family wants to be king or queen.
In an extraordinary interview, he insists, however, that Britain and other countries still need “the magic” of the monarchy.
The prince also appears to criticise his family’s decision to make him walk behind his mother’s coffin as a 12-year-old.
On the monarchy, he asks: “Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time.”
Harry has never kept secret his lack of desire for the “top job” and now appears to be suggesting that no one else in his family, including his brother William, wants it either.
But he adds: “The monarchy is a force for good and we want to carry on the positive atmosphere that the queen has achieved for over 60 years, but we won’t be trying to fill her boots. We are involved in modernising the British monarchy ... for the greater good of the people.”
The comments come in an interview with the US magazine, Newsweek.
In 1997, Harry joined his father Charles, grandfather Philip, 15-yearold brother and uncle, Earl Spencer, in a procession through London for the funeral of his mother Diana.
Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, says: “My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me.
“I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances.”
Both Harry and William have been on the receiving end of criticism about their dedication to their royal roles, carrying out only a fraction of the engagements even their elderly grandparents manage.
William has been accused of being workshy and finally made the decision to leave his home in Norfolk to move back to London and focus on helping the Queen, 91.
The Newsweek article says the prince stresses that he aches to be something other than “Prince Harry” but that he also is in a rush to make something of his life and make a difference.
He makes clear that, in partnership with William and his wife Kate, the young royals are also keen to modernise the monarchy, although there is, intriguingly, no mention of their father, Charles.
Asked whether he worries that an “ordinary” royal family would take away “The Firm’s” mystery, Harry replies: “It’s a tricky balancing act. We don’t want to dilute the magic.”
The prince, who has recently spoken more about his late mother as the 20th anniversary of death approaches in August, makes clear that she is still a huge inspiration in his life.
Harry, who is dating American actress Meghan Markle, said if he was lucky enough to have children, he was determined they should have a relatively normal life, adding: “Even if I was king, I would do my own shopping.” – The Daily Mail