Prince Charles to 'ditch' Sussexes in royal slim down, expert says

Prince Charles, 72, will 'ditch' his son, Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle to 'cut the monarchy down,' a royal expert has claimed.

Angela Levin, royal biographer and author of Harry: Conversations with the Prince, told UK broadcaster talkRadio on Monday that she thinks future king Charles has plans to thin out the current royal clan.

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (2R) talks with Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (R) as Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (L) talks with Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, (2L) as they all attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London on March 11, 2019
Prince Charles will 'ditch' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured in March 2019) in a dramatic royal familyslim-down, a royal expert claims. Photo: Getty Images.

Charles to 'ditch' the Sussexes

Not only that, but the Sussexes — who now live in California after stepping back as senior royals in January 2020 — might not make the final cut.

"Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people be worth the money that they get from the taxpayer," she said.

"I imagine that might be when Harry and Meghan are ditched from being members of the royal family."

Angela explained that the Queen, who recently turned 95, was the reason that the 'outer edge' or peripheral royals were still considered part of the monarchy and, as such, entitled to public funding.

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 9, 2020 in London, England
The last time the 'fab four' - Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - were together at the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9, 2020 in London. Photo: Getty Images.

But that would all change when Charles takes the throne, she predicts.

"I think the outer edge, which the Queen has wanted to keep together for a very long time for sentimental reasons, which at her age she didn’t really particularly want change which I think is understandable," she said.

"But [Charles] wants to change and I think he will do that."

In terms of what a slimmed down royal family would look like, it will likely include Prince Charles, his second wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Charles' eldest son, Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and their three children.

Those not in the smaller, inner circle may have to enter the public workforce to support themselves financially and could lose their patronages or titles.

Prince Harry and Prince William at Prince Philip's funeral
Prince Harry's 'frosty reception' from his family during Prince Philip's funeral may stop him returning for Princess Diana's statue unveiling. Photo: Getty

'Cold reception'

The news comes amid rumours that Prince Harry might cancel his upcoming trip to the UK in July after the "very, very cold reception" he received from the royal familyat Prince Philip's funeral.

A royal expert has claimed Harry, 36, may reconsider his return for the unveiling of a statue of his late mother Princess Diana.

"Some quarters of the family did give him a frosty reception and perhaps that did shock him somewhat," Russell Myers told talkRADIO, adding the birth of Harry and 39-year-old Meghan Markle's second baby could provide a "convenient excuse" not to "face the family".

That statue of Princess Diana was commissioned to mark the twentieth anniversary of her death and recognise all the incredible work she did as well as the impact she had on the UK and around the world. It will be installed in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace on July 1, 2021, marking what would have been her 60th birthday.

Prince Harry and Prince William
It seems there is still some way to go in repairing Prince Harry and Prince William's once close relationship. Photo: Getty

talkRadio host Kevin O'Sullivan said Harry looked "very out of sorts" during his brief visit for the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral and wondered if he would pull out of the upcoming plans.

Russell responded, "I'm told he is still committed to coming. Both camps are. Certainly, Kate and William will welcome him if he wants to come back.

"His intention is to come back. One may wonder, if his wife has just had a baby, I'm sure he could jump on a private jet and make a flying visit.

"But, will it be a convenient excuse so he doesn't have to come back and face the family?"

Harry and William announced the commissioning of the statue two years ago on the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's passing, at this stage, it's one of their only joint ventures.

Additional reporting by Marni Dixit.

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