Nation split on support for Harry, survey shows
NEARLY half of the British public believe the Duke of Sussex should be removed from the line of succession, according to a new poll.
Prince Harry remains sixth in line to the throne, despite quitting as a senior working royal in a bid for personal freedom and to earn his own money in the US.
The snap survey of 4,203 adults was carried out by YouGov yesterday – three days after the ‘Megxit’ divorce was finalised.
Buckingham Palace confirmed last week that Harry and the Duchess of Sussex’s departure was permanent. They will not return as working royals and the Queen has stripped them of their royal patronages and Harry of his honorary military roles.
The Sussex camp retorted with a parting shot by saying “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal”, prompting accusations they were being disrespectful to the Queen and her decades of public duty.
YouGov found that 49% of those questioned felt the 36-year-old duke should be removed from the succession line. Some 28% said he should not be removed, while almost a quarter (24%) did not know. Over 65-year-olds were more than twice as likely (62%) as 18 to 24-year-olds (28%) to believe the duke should no longer be in line to the throne.
The first seven in the current line of succession are: The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Harry, and Archie Mountbatten-Windsor. Harry has retained his HRH style, which he has had from birth, but he no longer uses it.
The Queen and senior members of the royal family will take part in a special television programme celebrating the Commonwealth, just hours before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Oprah interview is aired in the United States.
The annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey has been cancelled this year for the first time in nearly half a century, because of the pandemic.
Instead, the Queen will share her annual message in A Celebration For Commonwealth Day, on Sunday March 7, broadcast on BBC One.
Harry and Meghan’s intimate interview with Oprah Winfrey is being screened in a 90-minute special on CBS at 8pm in the US that Sunday, which will be in the early hours of Monday, UK time.
The Queen is symbolic head of the Commonwealth and regards the role very highly. Harry and Meghan were hailed as the new royal stars of the Commonwealth ahead of their wedding, after pledging themselves to a life of work with the family of nations in their engagement interview.
Last year’s Commonwealth service, just weeks before England went into its first national lockdown, was Harry and Meghan’s final appearance before they quit royal duties and left to start their life in the US.
The Queen’s audio message will be pre-recorded at Windsor Castle and played over footage of the monarch at the Berkshire royal residence.
The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex will also take part in the BBC show. They will share their perspectives of the importance of our Commonwealth links, the Abbey said. The service, which was due on March 8, is a key part of the royal calendar.