![\"Prince](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/4_HARRY_HOME_300_3181_shutterstock_editorial_1515.jpg\")
According to a royal expert, Prince Harry misunderstood his role as the ‘spare’ <\/p>\nThe Duke of Sussex greatly misunderstood his role as the second born son to the King, according to one expert, who says he had a far more important position within the FirmAccording to a royal expert, Prince Harry misunderstood his role as the ‘spare’ <\/p>\n
Prince Harry<\/a> has long claimed that he has lived his entire life in the shadow of Prince William<\/a> as the \u2018spare\u2019, even using it as the title for his tell-all autobiography<\/a>. According to the Duke of Sussex<\/a>, his role as the second born son to the King was to be a back-up monarch in the event his older brother was not able to fulfil his role as the future King.<\/p>\n However, former BBC<\/a> royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that Prince Harry<\/a> had a more important position to play within the royal family<\/a> at large: one that he could\u2019ve learned from his aunt, Princess Anne<\/a>. The King’s sister, who was also dubbed the \u2018spare\u2019 as the second sibling to Charles<\/a>, has led a life devoted to the Firm, often referred to as the \u201chardest working royal\u201d.<\/p>\n As Harry wrote in his memoir, it was his father King Charles<\/a> who first used the harsh nickname of \u2018spare\u2019 <\/a>to refer to his youngest son, in reaction to Princess Diana<\/a> giving birth to a second boy. Harry said his dad’s words were: “Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an heir and a spare – my work is done.”<\/p>\n But according to Jennie Bond, Prince Harry should\u2019ve sought guidance from the Princess Royal on how to support the royal family throughout his life, rather than focusing on his unofficial title as the \u2018spare\u2019.<\/p>\n Bond told the Mirror<\/a> : \u201cShe could have told her nephew that \u2018playing second fiddle\u2019 is the wrong way to look at his status. Instead, as she has shown, the second born can be an invaluable support to the institution of monarchy, and a vital friend, confidant and wingman\/woman to the monarch.<\/p>\n \u201cShe could have explained that they are a team, a firm, working together to keep the monarchy relevant and using their platform to help charities and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n The royal expert also believes that while other royal commentators have claimed that Prince Harry could use his relationship with Princess Anne to mend the royal rift with his father, that it is too late for the Duke to lean on his aunt for help to initiate a royal reconciliation.<\/p>\n Bond said: \u201cYes Anne woud have been the perfect person to offer advice and guidance, but sadly, this is no longer relevant as Harry has made it quite clear that he has no desire to return to life as a working royal.\u201d<\/p>\n The former BBC royal correspondent also speculated that Princess Anne may not want to get involved in rehashing the drama between Harry and Charles, and even questioned whether the Princess Royal knew the extent of the family rift.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cIt may be that the King has discussed his family troubles with Anne, but I rather doubt that she would want to get involved. To Anne, loyalty is paramount, and I suspect she feels that Harry has been extremely disloyal to his father, his brother and the monarchy. She might well find that hard to forgive.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal<\/p>\n WHATSAPP GROUP: <\/strong>Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our Royal WhatsApp here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Prince](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2_Prince-Harry-Attends-Court-For-Appeal-Over-Downgraded-Securit.jpg\")
A royal expert believes Prince Harry misunderstood his role as the second born son to the King(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Prince](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/5_The-Committal-Service-For-Her-Majesty-Queen-Elizabeth-II.jpg\")
Jennie Bond believes Prince Harry could’ve learned from Princess Anne about his role as a ‘spare'(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n