Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the bold decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020, there’s been a lot of speculation about Harry’s role in the British monarchy. Currently residing in the U.S. with plans for full citizenship, Prince Harry remains a royal family member, technically still in line for the throne. However, the U.K. parliament might see things differently.

The “Spare” Title

Prince Harry has often been referred to as the “spare” to the throne—a term he and many others find inappropriate. The idea of being the second choice for a throne, especially in the modern era, doesn’t sit well with him. And though Harry is technically still in the line of succession, there have been no talks of stripping him of his titles. This is because, legally, the royal family can’t do that even if they wanted to.

Harry’s Place in the Line of Succession

At present, Prince Harry is #5 in the line of succession, after his brother Prince William, his nieces and nephews (Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis), and before his own children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. This queue extends far beyond Harry, and realistically, his chances of becoming king are slim—many family members would need to step down, abdicate, or even pass away for Harry to ascend.

King Charles, although older, has no plans of stepping down. Prince William and his children would also need to abdicate for Harry’s position to be relevant. Even if this were to happen, Harry has always stated he doesn’t want the throne. In fact, the thought of having to "step over" his family members to become king is something Harry would rather avoid.

Would Harry Ever Become King?

While it’s unlikely Harry would become king, constitutional expert Professor Robert Hazell noted that if both King Charles and Prince William were to be permanently incapacitated while William’s children were still underage, Harry could theoretically become a regent. However, this would require new legislation to allow it, and given Harry’s reluctance to return to the U.K., this scenario is even more improbable.

Does Harry Want to Be King?

The short answer? No, he never has. Harry’s disinterest in the throne was evident even in his younger years, as demonstrated by some of his wilder behavior, including the infamous Vegas incident. Over time, as his place in the line of succession diminished with each new royal birth, Harry found a sense of relief, realizing that he could lead a fulfilling life far removed from the royal chaos.

In a candid interview, Harry revealed that nobody in the Royal Family is truly eager to take the throne. It seems that, for Harry, the idea of living a life of royal duty is less appealing than the freedom he’s found outside of it.