15 Things That Will Happen If Prince Harry Became King
Let's imagine a world where Prince Charles of Wales and Prince William are overthrown and the next adult in line to the British throne is everyone's favorite royal - Prince Harry. The current ruler Queen Elizabeth II is 91-years-old and with the public's confidence in the royal family disappearing year after year maybe it's time for a modern and new monarchy.
Soon-to-be-married Prince Harry would likely have to share the responsibility with his future wife, former Suits actress Meghan Markle. The Daily Express asked their readers: "Would you accept Meghan Markle as your Queen?" and 58% said they would welcome the idea - so although this splits opinion, she's slowly winning over the public too.
Harry has always felt pushed out the spotlight, as he told Newsweek, "I feel there is just a smallish window when people are interested in me before (William's children Prince George and Princess Charlotte) take over, and I've got to make the most of it."
Spotted out partying till late, kissing up to female friends, wearing controversial costumes and just general debauchery - the red-haired Royal hasn't always had an innocent reputation. Now he's getting older an settling down and throwing himself into charity work, it's this mature side that is winning him all the fans and starting to change opinions about him. However, if this does become a reality, expect some seriously shocking things to happen.
15 First Of All - He Has Said He Would Absolutely Hate It
Prince Harry has already made very clear that he would hate to be the next monarch. In an interview with Newsweek magazine, he stated, "We are involved in modernizing the British monarchy. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people." Adding, "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.”
Respectful of his grandmother, who was sat on the throne for more than 65 years, he said, "The monarchy is a force for good and we want to carry on the positive atmosphere, but we won't be trying to fill her boots." It's near impossible to think anyone could replace the Queen after all this time.
14 Queen Meghan Would Sit On A Throne And People Would Bow To Her
Meghan has already begun to adjust to the royal life - she has completely erased her Instagram and quit acting for good. Just like a modern day Grace Kelly, who gave up a glittering Hollywood career when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, and instead threw herself into royal duties and overseas tours. If Harry becomes King then she can expect to be right by his side on a throne of her own.
Most recently it was announced that she has been appointed a royal aide who will take care of her official diary, handle any correspondences, and then to anything she needs. When Meghan was shaking hands with her adoring public during a recent outing, it was her new aide's duty to hold the dozens of gifts that were handed to Meghan. It's a tough job for sure but someone has to do it.
13 People Will Be Convinced It's A Conspiracy To Take Over America
Whenever there is any news - there will also be conspiracies online picking it all apart. Shortly after Harry and Meghan announced their engagement, several conspirators went to work to fix a story in people's minds that it was all a ploy to win back America. Yes, really.
One Twitter user Greg Pollowitz made the point that Meghan is an American so their children will be American. So if one of their children eventually runs for president of the United States but is also British Royalty then America will fall back into the hands of the Brits. He wrote, "Prince Harry's kids will be Americans. What if one grows up to be president and is in line for the throne at the same time? Brits are playing long-ball here, but it's a smart move. They want America back and this is how they'll do it."
12 He Is More Popular Than His "Sly" Brother Prince William
The brothers couldn't be more chalk and cheese with Harry also coming out on top in terms of popularity. Former royal security team member Ken Wharfe told Vanity Fair, "William tended to be sly, whereas Harry was much more open. You knew exactly where you stood with him. Everybody liked Harry because he was funny. William wasn't. That was his character and, of course, he knew exactly who he was." He added, "You know how in a group of children there's often the odd one who doesn't quite fit the bill? William was one of those."
Wharfe worked as Princess Diana's bodyguard so he has known the boys since they were very young. He also mentioned that Harry would be a "remarkable" king. These two siblings have been in competition with each other since they were very young so this will be hurtful news to William's ears.
11 The Public Would Fall In Love With The Royal Family All Over Again
Richard Palmer, a veteran royal reporter for the Daily Express, believes that everyone has forgiven Harry for his past unruly behavior and now have warmed up to him. He explained, "Harry has mellowed. He's not the party prince anymore and not quite the same angry, outspoken young man he was in his late teens and early twenties. He can still be abrasive at times but on the whole, he is charming, relaxed, and chatty. He is engaging and sometimes quick with the banter."
Everyone fell in love with Harry when he told Newsweek, "Even if I was king, I would do my own shopping." Then, maybe backtracking in case he got into trouble for speaking his mind, he added, "But it's a tricky balancing act. We don't want to dilute the magic. The British public and the whole world need institutions like it."
10 Meghan Will Have To Give Up All Her Designer Dresses
Meghan won't be able to parade around in a designer wardrobe if she moves up the ranks in royalty. Her dresses will be handmade by court-appointed designers and seamstresses so no more flicking through Vogue for inspiration. Her current wardrobe must have some big money hanging up in there as her Ralph & Russo gown she wore for the official engagement photos was worth $75,000 alone. One fan wrote on Twitter, "So Meghan Markle's official engagement portrait dress is worth $75,000 - oh to be nearly a princess hey".
Her fashion decisions have already caused a stir amongst her intimidate family members. Meghan's estranged sister Samantha told the Daily Mail that when their father went bankrupt, the royal-to-be didn't help them out financially. She said, "If you can spend $75,000 on a dress, you can spend $75,000 on your dad."
9 Buckingham Palace Will Be Overrun With Their Celebrity Friends
Prince Harry is known for rubbing shoulders with celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham, Barack and Michelle Obama, Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran, and Chris Martin from Coldplay. So if he became king and moved into the palace, there might be a few famous faces roaming the hallways. Meghan herself knows many stars as she has appeared on Suits, General Hospital, CSI: Miami, Get Him to the Greek, and Horrible Bosses.
Even though he attended many showbiz events, nobody suspected Harry would fall in love with a star of the screen, as it was believed he would be set up with someone that already moved within the royal circles. Harry just couldn't help himself, revealing during their official engagement announcement, "The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned. This beautiful woman just tripped and fell into my life, I fell into her life."
8 Meghan Will Have To Kneel Before Him
Meghan Markle will have to learn fast what royal protocol is and that she will be expected to bow to her husband if he was King. So far, she's struggled with all the royal rules and has broken many in her short time in the palace. According to royal expert William Hanson he told the Daily Mail, Meghan wears a purse with a cross-body strap instead of holding a clutch and also wearing visible tights in public is far from regal.
Meghan also regularly talks to the press which is frowned upon and she even gave a full interview to Vanity Fair about what it was like dating the Prince. Harry isn't helping matters, as he's been caught out smooching his fiancee in public and also holding hands. These two rebels are clearly meant to be.
7 He Would Keep His Children Completely Out Of The Spotlight
Thanks to the work of forensic artist Joe Mullins, we get a glimpse at the children Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might have in the future. Although it's unlikely he will allow his own kids to become royal figures and instead offer them a shot at the normal life he never had. In 1997, when he was 12-years-old, he walked in front of millions as he joined his father, brother, and his uncle, Earl Spencer, on the street of London during the funeral procession for his mother, Princess Diana.
He told Newsweek, "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. I don't think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don't think it would happen today."
6 His Love Of Polo Will Also Be Banned
Harry will still be able to play polo in private but his love for the sport and public matches should take a backseat if he's the head of state. That might be a good thing as apparently he "came to blows" during a recent match and William had to get involved before it escalated into a full-blown row.
Australian polo player, Beau Skerrett recalled that the Prince had lost his cool with him on the pitch. He told Daily Express, "Harry loses his cool. He is a spoiled brat. It got to the point where I couldn't send anyone off but something had to be said because he was just getting a bit serious." Adding with a laugh, "He didn't take it too well. I think I'm the only guy who ever told him to f*** off in front of a crowd that pays £5,000 to shake his hand."
5 His Marriage Might Crack Under The Intense Pressure
Marriage is tough at times but then trying to run a country at the same time can add to that pressure. Meghan was previously married to American film producer Trevor Engelson but they divorced after two years. The odds are already stacked against the couple as studies have reported that walking down the aisle together before you have spent three years as a couple increased the likelihood of divorce by 50%.
Shockingly Meghan also might have a few skeletons in her closet that have not come out yet. Her half-sister revealed to the Daily Mail, "The Royal Family would be appalled by what she's done to her own family. The truth would kill her relationship with Prince Harry, he wouldn't want to date her anymore because it puts her in a bad public light."
4 It's Likely He Will Scrap The Old Ways And Create A Modern Monarchy
One thing everyone would love to see is if Harry is willing to scrap the traditional monarchy and start building a new modern way of running the country. During an interview with the Mail on Sunday, he said that he always longed for the "ordinary life" and even tried to leave the royal life behind. Referring to his family as 'The Firm', he said, "There was a time I felt I wanted out. But then I decided to stay in The Firm and work out a role for myself."
Royal writer Penny Juror believes Harry will be more open to the public unlike his brother William. She told The Daily Beast, "William is very controlling and hates press intrusion. Harry is much more of an extrovert and Meghan is a public figure and, I assume, very happy to be recognized and photographed. He just gets on with life."
3 He Will Land An Annual Salary Of $61 Million
The Queen's annual salary of $61 million has been quite a touchy subject with Brits for a while. A royal spokesperson argued, "When you look at these accounts, the bottom line is the Sovereign Grant last year equated to 65p per person, per annum, in the United Kingdom. Consider that against what the Queen does and represents for this country, I believe it represents excellent value for money."
If Harry was to take on the throne he can expect those paychecks to be forwarded to himself. He has already inherited around $20 million in a trust and estate from his late mother, Princess Diana. He also has access to $450,000 a year through an investment portfolio and he receives an annual "allowance" of $4.6 million. Harry's heart is in the right place though and he donated his $45,000 Army Air Corps salary to charity.
2 Meghan Will Turn Her Family Into Royalty
If Harry became King and with Meghan as royalty by her side then her parents would be entitled to a royal title too, likely becoming an Earl and a Countess. Although, they wouldn't be up to scratch to land the title Duke and Duchess as former royal editor Charles Mosley told The Telegraph, "A dukedom would be too much - and anyway you'd have to be colossally rich to support such a title."
This might prove very complicated as Meghan's not got the best relationship with her father who divorced her mother when was very young. Over Christmas, Harry told the BBC, "(Meghan's) done an absolutely amazing job (meeting the royals). She's getting in there and it's the family I suppose that she's never had." Hurt by the comments, Meghan's estranged sister said, "(Meghan has) a large family who was always there with her."
1 He Will Turn Buckingham Palace Into A Green House
Harry and Meghan's six-bedroom love nest at Kensington Palace is already an eco-friendly household as the Royal heir gets his love of nature from his father, Prince Charles. If Harry was to sit on the throne then he would get an upgrade and enjoy living out his days at Buckingham Palace. He'll likely follow in his father's footsteps and give the Palace an eco-friendly makeover. This would mean fitting the historic roof with photovoltaic panels that use sunlight to generate electricity for the palace.
The Daily Express added, "The solar panels will be fitted to the flat areas of the roof so that they are not visible from the ground or the principal rooms of the palace. A digestion unit will also be installed to generate biogas from food and other organic waste to help fuel new energy-efficient boilers." Well, maybe it is time to step into the future after all.