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According to a royal author, a family photo released in 2019 showing the line of succession to the British throne was intended to send a message to Prince Harry from his brother Prince William and father King Charles.
According to Express, The portrait, taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace a week before Christmas 2019, depicted the late Queen Elizabeth II alongside her son Charles, who was then Prince of Wales, grandson William, and great-grandson Prince George.
Robert Lacey, author of the book "Battle of Brothers", claims the photo was Charles's idea as he wanted to promote his vision of a "slimmed-down monarchy" focused on the direct line of succession.
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"According to insiders, this formal photograph was the idea of Prince Charles, anxious to promote his cause of the 'slimmed-down monarchy'," Lacey wrote in the Daily Mail.
He described the image as "fascinating and historic" showing "the current monarch with three future monarchs" and "all the living heirs - and not a suggestion of a 'spare'."
Notably absent were Prince Harry, who was sixth in line at the time, and his son Archie. Lacey states palace sources revealed the plan to depict just the direct heirs was "enthusiastically supported by Prince William."
"Palace sources have also let it be known that the plan of depicting the direct line of royal succession was enthusiastically supported by Prince William, which might be seen as sending his younger brother a message," the author wrote.
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Lacey claims Harry and his wife Meghan Markle took this "to heart", interpreting it as a signal they were being pushed out of the monarchy's future plans. However, other royal experts disagree it was meant as a slight.
"I'm not saying they were cutting Harry and Meghan out because it was a brutal fact that Harry was never part of that line of succession," ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship said.
He argued the photo simply reflected that at the start of a new decade, "it felt like the royal family was very much focusing on the future - the Queen and her three heirs."
The release of the photo came just days before Harry and Meghan announced their decision to step back as senior working royals in January 2020.
While their reasons were complex, the Sussexes later spoke of feeling sidelined by the monarchy and a desire for a more progressive royal model going forward.
Kensington Palace declined to comment on claims the 2019 photo was designed to send a message to the Duke of Sussex. The relationship between the brothers has remained strained since Harry's move to California.
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In his memoir Spare, the prince alleged a physical altercation with William and said his father had made jokes over his paternity as a child. Both Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace did not comment on the claims.
The line of succession has continued to be a source of scrutiny, with the royal family's website listing the new order following Charles becoming king and William taking on the Prince of Wales title after the Queen's death in September 2022.
While no longer a working royal, Harry remains fifth in line after his brother and nephews George, Charlotte and Louis. His children Archie and Lilibet are sixth and seventh respectively.
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The debate over who should represent the modern monarchy looks set to continue, with the direct heirs clearly being prioritized by Charles as king. Only time will tell if Harry and his family have a place in those future plans.
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