Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are unlikely to have any role within the royal family once Prince William takes the throne, insiders claim.
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, William, now 43, has been preparing for his eventual role as king. A known supporter of a slimmed-down monarchy, William is said to be shaping a new vision for the future of the royal family—one that reportedly excludes the Sussex children.
Future Without the Sussexes
Sources suggest that Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, will be left out of the monarchy under William’s leadership. “What’s most noticeable now is how he doesn’t talk about it at all,” a source told The Times of London, referring to William’s current mindset regarding Prince Harry, his younger brother.
“There was a time when it consumed a lot of mental energy,” the insider continued. “Their relationship used to be close, and he was genuinely hurt. But now, he’s moved on. It’s sad, but it’s also a much healthier place for him to be.”
According to the same source, although William once felt intense “anger” over Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, his feelings have shifted to “indifference.”
Kensington Palace has not responded to requests for comment.
Harry is believed to want his children to maintain their HRH titles, giving them the option to pursue royal duties if they wish when they are older. However, William’s stance seems more aligned with public opinion in the UK. Many have called for the Sussexes to be stripped of their titles altogether, citing frustration with their distance from royal life.
Concerns About Prince Andrew
The reports also mention that Prince Andrew remains a concern. William is said to view his uncle, long entangled in controversy due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as both a “risk” and a “threat” to the monarchy.
Both King Charles and William reportedly support limiting Andrew’s involvement in public royal events. Since stepping down as a working royal, Andrew has been largely sidelined by the rest of the family.
William’s New Approach to Monarchy
William has made it clear he intends to modernize the monarchy in his own way. During a 2023 visit to Cape Town for the Earthshot Prize awards, he said, “I’m trying to do it differently and for my generation… with maybe a smaller ‘r’ in the royal.”
He emphasized impact over tradition: “It’s about collaboration, philanthropy, and helping others. And empathy—because I genuinely care about the work we do.”
Challenges to a Slimmed-Down Monarchy
With Harry no longer involved in royal duties, some experts suggest William might eventually need to rethink his leaner model of monarchy. The absence of his brother could put additional strain on the smaller group of working royals expected to carry out public duties.
Still, William appears focused on moving forward—on his own terms.