In a surprising move, Prince Harry has made comments about the future roles of his niece and nephew, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, that have been met with strong disapproval from the royal family.
During an interview to promote his memoir, Harry expressed concern that at least one of the three children of the Prince and Princess of Wales would end up feeling like a “spare” – a reference to his own struggles with being the younger sibling to the heir to the throne, Prince William. However, royal experts have firmly rejected Harry’s assessment, arguing that William and Kate are determined to ensure all their children are treated equally and have a normal upbringing.
Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, told OK! Magazine that Harry’s comments reveal a “huge chip on his shoulder” about being a spare, but that this does not mean William and Kate’s children will feel the same way. “Charlotte and Louis will be very important people with huge privilege and a huge platform, and so they don’t need to feel spare,” she said.
The royal family has long maintained that they strive to provide a normal, stable environment for their children, with William himself stating in 2016 that “as far as we are concerned within our family unit, we are a normal family.” Sources have also previously revealed that the Cambridge children are expected to help with chores and do not receive any preferential treatment.
While it is true that George, as the eldest, is destined to one day inherit the throne, the royal couple are determined to ensure all three of their children feel equally valued and supported, both in their public roles and behind closed doors. Observers have noted the notably close bond between the siblings, suggesting that Charlotte and Louis will be there to support their big brother as he takes on greater responsibilities in the future.
Ultimately, Harry’s comments appear to have been met with a firm rejection from the royal family, who are adamant that they are raising their children to feel secure in their identities, regardless of their birth order or future roles.