Duke of Sussex’s Influence Seen in Prince of Wales’s Plans for Royal Future
Prince William appears to have drawn inspiration from his estranged brother Harry as he shared a bold vision for the future of the monarchy under his leadership.
The Prince of Wales recently described his approach as “a smaller ‘r’ in the royal,” hinting at a more modern and empathetic institution. According to Vanity Fair royal editor Katie Nicholl, the sentiment reflects Harry’s long-held ideas about reforming the monarchy.
“One person who’s probably sitting there thinking, ‘This is what I’ve been saying all along,’ is the Duke of Sussex,” Nicholl told The Sun. She added, “Let’s be more open, let’s show more empathy, let’s do things a little bit differently.”
Harry has been a vocal advocate for modernising royal roles, often sharing his vision during his time as a working royal and after stepping down in 2020. Nicholl noted that Harry left because he “didn’t feel he could bend the institution the way he wanted,” but now his ideas seem to be influencing the royal family.
“I think we’ve seen the royals take a leaf out of [Harry’s] book,” Nicholl said. However, she emphasised that the monarchy remains committed to tradition, adding, “They’re not going to become ‘too California.’ It’s about opening up while staying true to their values.”
This shift suggests Harry’s influence continues to resonate within the royal family, even as tensions between the brothers persist.
