As Prince George nears a significant chapter in his education, Prince Harry has previously voiced concerns about the path ahead for his brother William’s children.
In a 2023 interview with The Telegraph, shortly after the release of his revealing memoir Spare, Harry shared heartfelt anxieties about the future generation of royals — especially those not bound for the throne.
George, the eldest child of Prince William and Princess Kate, is second in line to succeed the crown.
Despite a fractured relationship with William, Harry once admitted that he still carries a sense of duty toward his niece and nephews — Princess Charlotte, now nine, Prince George, 11, and Prince Louis, six.
Prince Harry’s reflections on Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George
“I still feel a responsibility knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare,” Harry said. “And that hurts, that worries me. And though William and I have talked about it once or twice, and he has made it very clear to me that his kids are not my responsibility, I still feel a responsibility.”
While George holds a prominent position in the line of succession, it’s understood that William and Kate are trying to give their children a childhood that feels as normal as possible.
Lately, speculation has grown around where George will go to school at age 13.
Eton College, the prestigious boarding school both William and Harry attended, is considered a strong option. Yet Kate reportedly leans toward Marlborough College — her own alma mater — as a co-educational and more laid-back alternative.
“I still feel a responsibility knowing that out of those three children, at least one will end up like me, the spare.”
This school decision has apparently caused some differences of opinion between the couple. Both parents, however, remain united in their goal of offering George the best foundation as he approaches adolescence.
Still, while much attention falls on George, Harry’s comments draw focus to Charlotte and Louis — two younger royals who may one day wrestle with the same identity questions Harry has openly explored.
Harry has not spoken publicly about the current state of his relationship with the children, but in earlier years he fondly discussed being an uncle.
Following George’s birth in 2013, Harry said he hoped to contribute to a “fun and safe upbringing” for his nephew.
And during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, Harry and Charlotte were seen exchanging a gentle, shared smile — a brief, affectionate moment amidst the formality of the day.
Will Charlotte and Louis experience the ‘spare’ role?
Harry’s unease over Charlotte and Louis is rooted in his belief that being the “spare” in a royal setting can be an isolating experience — particularly when growing up in the long shadow of a future monarch.
Even though William is said to have made it clear that his children are not Harry’s responsibility, Harry still seems to carry a quiet sense of protectiveness.
Charlotte and Louis may play key parts in royal life
Yet not everyone believes Charlotte and Louis will face the same fate. Royal commentator Phil Dampier shared his thoughts with The Sun, suggesting the siblings may not suffer the “spare” burden in the same way.
“Prince Harry always felt like ‘The Spare’,” Dampier said. “But perhaps that won’t happen with Charlotte and Louis as there are two of them. They will support each other, as well as George.”
Royal expert Jennie Bond also weighed in, telling the Mirror that William and Kate are likely very mindful of the challenges that come with being the second or third child in a royal family.
She explained that the couple is expected to “do everything to make Charlotte and Louis feel every bit as special, loved, and valued as George.”
For Harry, watching all of this unfold from afar may be emotionally complex. Though he has stepped back from royal duties, his words suggest he still feels connected to the lives of his brother’s children.
Especially the ones who, like him, may one day find themselves navigating royal life — with all of its expectations — without the crown ever truly being theirs.