Prince Harry Says No British Royal Wants to Be King or Queen

By Jack Phillips
June 22, 2017 Last Updated: June 22, 2017
Prince Harry attending the BT Sport Industry Awards 2016 at Battersea Evolution in London, England on April 28, 2016. (Jonathan Brady--WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Harry, in a wide-ranging interview, said that no member of the royal family wants to be king or queen.

“We are involved in modernizing the British monarchy. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people,” Harry told Newsweek.

“Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time.”

Of grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, he said, “We want to carry on the positive atmosphere that the queen has achieved for over 60 years, but we won’t be trying to fill her boots.”

Britain's Prince William, (L) his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (C) and Prince Harry (R) arrive at Westminster Abbey in London, on June 4, 2013, for a service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation Service. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)
Britain’s Prince William, (L) his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (C) and Prince Harry (R) arrive at Westminster Abbey in London, on June 4, 2013, for a service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation Service. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

Ned Tapa and Prince Harry paddle a waka down the Whanganui River after a visit to Putiki Marae on May 14, 2015 in Wanganui, New Zealand. Prince Harry is in New Zealand from May 9 through to May 16 attending events in Wellington, Invercargill, Stewart Island, Christchurch, Linton, Whanganui and Auckland. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Ned Tapa and Prince Harry paddle a waka down the Whanganui River after a visit to Putiki Marae on May 14, 2015 in Wanganui, New Zealand. Prince Harry is in New Zealand from May 9 through to May 16 attending events in Wellington, Invercargill, Stewart Island, Christchurch, Linton, Whanganui and Auckland. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Harry is fifth in line to the British throne.

He also recalled the torture of walking behind the casket of his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997.

“My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television,” Harry, now 32, told the publication. “I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don’t think it would happen today.”

This file picture taken 06 November 1989 in Jakarta shows Diana, Princess of Wales listening to children during her visit to the British international school. (AFP/Getty Images)
This file picture taken 06 November 1989 in Jakarta shows Diana, Princess of Wales listening to children during her visit to the British international school. (AFP/Getty Images)

Harry’s brother, Prince William, also spoke about the walk, saying it was “one of the hardest things I have ever done,” reported USA Today.

Harry spoke about realizing the need to fix mistakes “[he] was making.”

“My mother died when I was very young,” he continued. “I didn’t want to be in the position I was in, but I eventually pulled my head out of the sand, started listening to people and decided to use my role for good. I am now fired up and energized and love charity stuff, meeting people and making them laugh.”