The Royal Transition: Charles's Reign and the Role of Prince Harry and Prince Andrew

The Accusations Against Prince Andrew

It has been falsely claimed that King Charles is reshaping the royal hierarchy by removing Prince Harry and Prince Andrew. However, these allegations are far from accurate.

Prince Andrew's removal from his official royal duties was not initiated by King Charles, but by his own mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He was stripped of his duties for his scandalous friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted child sex trafficker. Andrew's actions were truly embarrassing and unbecoming of his status as a senior royal and the monarch's son. While Charles has shown no inclination to return him to his previous role, this decision was made by his mother with the country's best interests in mind.

Prince Harry's Decisions

Prince Harry's decision to quit being a working royal was a personal choice, voluntarily made. The idea that King Charles removed Prince Harry from his position is unfounded.

The Reality of the Royal Hierarchy

The reality is that the royal hierarchy remains largely as it has been. Queen Elizabeth II made significant changes to the line of succession with the Succession to the Crown Act 2013. This act amended the provisions of the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement, ending the male-preference primogeniture system. Now, the firstborn child, regardless of gender, can ascend to the throne. This rule was changed well before the births of William's children, making Charles the heir and Andrew the spare.

The Current Line of Succession

Prince Andrew and Prince Harry still hold positions in the line of succession, albeit much lower down. They play crucial roles in the royal hierarchy, but their titles and responsibilities remain ambiguous.

Criticism of the Current Royal Family

While Charles, William, and Catherine (the Prince and Princess of Wales) hold significant royal duties and resources, they have been criticized for a lack of engagement and hustle. Between 2023 and their illness, Catherine and William carried out 317 engagements between them, while Princess Anne carried out 459. This highlights a gap in the current royal hierarchy, where more active engagement is expected.

With the vast resources at their disposal, including residences, vehicles, and financial assets, it is reasonable to expect more commitment from the Heir Apparent and his wife. However, the public instead tends to focus on the personal activities and spending habits of other members of the royal family, particularly Meghan Markle, the biracial woman who is not drawing funds from or working for the royal family.

King Charles's reign may be seen as a period of adaptation and reassessment in the royal family. While some accuse him of reshaping the hierarchy, his actions are more about maintaining the dignity and integrity of the institution established by his late mother.