Prince Harry’s Exit Haunts King Charles as Trooping The Colour Exposes Slimmed Down Monarchy
Even as King Charles stood proudly on the Buckingham Palace balcony for this year’s Trooping the Colour, one glaring absence hung heavily over the grand spectacle: Prince Harry. Once again, the Duke of Sussex has become a flashpoint in conversations surrounding the stability — or fragility — of the modern monarchy.
Royal commentator Tom Sykes, writing for The Daily Beast, didn’t hold back when analyzing how Prince Harry’s absence continues to cast a long shadow over King Charles’ reign, especially during high-profile events like Trooping the Colour. According to Sykes, the King’s inability — or unwillingness — to bring his youngest son back into the royal fold is increasingly hard to ignore.
“Charles’ failure to bring his son back into the fold is always highlighted on occasions such as these, and today’s pomp and ceremony was no different,” Sykes wrote, calling out the sharp contrast between the monarchy’s past and present.
The once-crowded Buckingham Palace balcony, filled with numerous generations of royal family members, is now dramatically thinned out. Gone are the days when vast numbers of the Windsor clan would gather together, children growing into teenagers, aunts and uncles exchanging laughs — all in the name of family unity.
Sykes reflected on those bygone times, noting that even though the monarchy was “an eccentric, privileged clan—highly dysfunctional” at times, they still managed to put personal drama aside for major family moments like Trooping the Colour. “Somehow, they muddled through and put it all aside, once a year, in the name of family unity,” he remarked, referencing the chaotic but united era during Princess Diana’s time.
But under King Charles’ new vision for a “slimmed-down monarchy,” that tradition of unity has all but disappeared. In an effort to streamline the royal household and reduce financial obligations, Charles has significantly reduced the number of senior working royals. The result is a much smaller, leaner royal lineup: King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne.
While the King’s slimmed-down monarchy may make financial sense, Prince Harry’s departure has left a hole that’s impossible to ignore — particularly during high-visibility events like Trooping the Colour. His decision to step back from royal duties alongside Meghan Markle and their young son Prince Archie has transformed what was once a sprawling royal family display into something far more stark and intimate.
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“Harry’s exit added a spanner in the works,” Sykes observed, noting that what was originally designed to be a carefully managed reduction in royal numbers now feels painfully empty at moments meant to showcase the full strength and unity of the monarchy.
The optics are especially glaring during events like Trooping the Colour, where every balcony appearance is scrutinized as a public demonstration of the monarchy’s health. With Prince Harry and Meghan’s absence, the spectacle feels undeniably quieter and less dynamic, lacking the multi-generational presence that once defined it.
Fans have also noticed the change. Many took to social media during this year’s event, voicing both sadness and frustration. One user wrote, “The balcony feels empty without Harry. Like it or not, the royal family was stronger when they were all together.” Another echoed, “Slimming down the monarchy might save money, but it’s costing them public warmth and connection.”
What’s even more striking is that these balcony appearances were once the monarchy’s most effective tool for projecting unity despite private dysfunction. Now, without Harry — and amid ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the family — that illusion of unity feels increasingly difficult to maintain.
As the King’s reign continues, many experts believe Prince Harry’s absence will only become more pronounced during future royal milestones. From state visits to future coronations and jubilees, the missing pieces in the royal puzzle will remain painfully visible — unless reconciliation becomes possible.
For now, King Charles’ streamlined monarchy soldiers on — but events like Trooping the Colour serve as constant reminders of what has been lost. The royal family may look picture-perfect on the balcony, but behind the scenes, the wounds left by Harry’s departure remain far from healed.
