Princess Charlotte is the second child to the second-in-line to the throne, Prince William, and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. She has already charmed the public despite being just five years old, and her parents occasionally delight fans by sharing photographs and videos of the cheeky princess. However, there is a chance that she could follow in the footsteps of her rebellious uncle, Prince Harry, who famously rejected royal life last year.
He and his wife Meghan Markle chose to hightail it to the US, because they struggled with living in the public eye and they wanted to give their son Archie a “peaceful life”.
The Duke of Sussex even said the couple had been left “with no option” but to step down due to the pressure they were facing on the royal frontline.
In the Amazon Prime documentary, William and Kate: The Journey, Part 4, comparisons are drawn between Harry and Charlotte — who is currently fourth-in-line to the throne.
The documentary’s voiceover explained: “Princess Charlotte’s birth has heralded a new era of girl power into the British Royal Family.
“After Queen Elizabeth II’s reign is over, the prospect of three male Kings means the Royal Family will not see a female on the throne for many years to come.”
Royal commentator Camilla Tominey then told the programme: “How lovely to have Charlotte bringing up the rear — she’s rather unkindly called the ‘Spare to the Heir’, as Prince Harry is.
“But, as he has proved himself, it’s a role you can make your own.”
However, the documentary aired in 2018 — long before the Sussexes rejected royal life and revealed how unhappy they truly were behind Palace walls.
Ms Tominey then added: “I’m sure all eyes will be on Charlotte — in fact, there’ll be even more scrutiny for her because she’s female.”
Royal women — such as Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Sussex — typically struggle more under the public gaze compared to their male counterparts.
READ MORE: Sussexes’ podcast slated for showing ‘no idea of life outside bubble’
In an interview with journalist Angela Levin, he explained that he was in a rush “to make something of my life”.
He continued: “I feel there is just a smallish window when people are interested in me before [William’s children] take over, and I’ve got to make the most of it.”
The pro-Sussex biography Finding Freedom even claimed that Harry struggled with being overshadowed by his older brother William and Kate when he was a senior royal.
The biographers, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, explained: “Increasingly Harry had grown frustrated that he and Meghan often took a backseat to other family members.
“While they both respected the hierarchy of the institution, it was difficult when they wanted to focus on a project and were told that a more senior ranking family member, be it Prince William or Prince Charles, had an initiative or tour being announced at the same time — so they would just have to wait.”
Similarly, Charlotte could find herself often stuck in the shadow of her older brother, Prince George, especially as he will be the heir apparent when William ascends the throne.
She might subsequently end up in a similar predicament as Harry — rejecting the public eye while simultaneously appearing to resent the attention her older brother receives.
— to www.express.co.uk
