06 March 2024 , 15:42
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Prince William is thought to be shutting out his brother Prince Harry from succession talks as William is 'adamant' that the Duke of Sussex can not support the royal family.
Harry, who stepped down as a working royal in 2020, is said to have "zero chance" of being asked to help whilst his father King Charles undergoes cancer treatment and may need other senior royals to step in. Harry, whilst keen to support his family, is thought to be excluded from family planning with William leading the decision making.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, royal expert and author Tom Quinn said: "As a non working royal Harry is also no longer a counsellor of state and he is not being kept in the loop because there is zero chance he will be asked to help out. William is adamant that he does not want Harry involved in any aspect of succession discussions or in planning for counsellors of state to help out if and when it becomes necessary. And as the next in line what William wants William gets."
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Prince William is said to be 'adamant' he will not include his younger brother Harry in succession talks (Getty Images)Quinn also suggested Charles' plans centre around the Prince of Wales. He told The Mirror William is at the heart of the succession planning", but "no one trusts Harry". He explained: "Charles is also aware that, as future king, William is at the heart of the succession planning that is taking place right now – officials had assumed Charles would remain healthy at least into his mid-eighties before succession planning would need to begin but in fact it has now begun and indicates perhaps that Charles’ cancer is more dangerous than we have been led to believe.
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"Succession planning is highly secret and no one trusts Harry to be part of it for the simple reason that if he feels in any way slighted or not given what he feels he deserves he will run straight to the media."
The King's illness is believed to have led to his succession planning, with a "highly unlikely situation" involving Harry and Meghan returning to royal duties. Royal expert Jennie Bond said Harry would likely "uproot his family" if he was called upon.
Prince William is said to have blocked his brother from succession planning after news of King Charles cancer diagnosis was made public (Getty Images)Speaking to Heat magazine, she said it's an "extreme precaution" to be planning for an instance in which Meghan and Harry would return to royal duties. However, she said: "But, from the rumours that he was willing to step in on some kind of official basis while the King is in treatment, Harry probably would uproot his family and fill in for the short-term.
"I don't think regency is something he'd welcome, but he'd be able to do things his way for once." Jennie pointed out that any involvement Harry had would be for a "very short period" as Prince William's son George can legitimately become King when he turns 18 in seven years.
A source also told the publication that Harry and Meghan are finding it "hard" to hear King Charles is making concession plans without consulting them. However, they insisted the Sussexes are "not going to kick up a fuss".