Prince Harry’s royal downfall may have been avoidable, according to one royal expert who believes the Duke of Sussex failed to lean on a powerful and experienced ally within his own family. As his ties to the monarchy continue to unravel, new revelations suggest Harry misjudged the very people who could have helped him thrive.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond claims that Harry never truly understood the value of his role as the second-born royal and failed to seek guidance from the one woman who could have reshaped his destiny—his aunt, Princess Anne.
Bond told the Mirror that Harry’s perception of himself as “second fiddle” to Prince William was not only misguided but deeply damaging. She argued that Princess Anne, who has spent her life serving the Crown with unshakeable loyalty, would have been the perfect role model for the struggling prince.
“She could have told her nephew that ‘playing second fiddle’ is the wrong way to look at his status,” Bond explained. “As she has shown, the second born can be an invaluable support to the institution of monarchy, and a vital friend, confidant and wingman—or wingwoman—to the monarch.”
Princess Anne, known for her tireless dedication and no-nonsense approach to royal life, has long been admired for her behind-the-scenes strength. Bond believes that had Harry sought her wisdom, he might have discovered a path where he could have made a meaningful impact without ever feeling overshadowed.
Instead, Prince Harry chose a different route—stepping away from royal duties in 2020 alongside Meghan Markle and launching a wave of public criticism against the monarchy. From his tell-all memoir Spare to their Netflix docuseries and bombshell interviews, Harry made headlines for accusing his family of betrayal and emotional neglect.
Jennie Bond suggests this shift made any chance of advice or reconciliation with Princess Anne virtually impossible. “Yes, Anne would have been the perfect person to offer advice and guidance,” Bond said. “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.”
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She added that Princess Anne likely has little interest in getting involved with Harry’s ongoing feud with the monarchy. Loyalty, Bond emphasized, is a sacred value to the Princess Royal—and she may see Harry’s actions as an unforgivable breach of that trust.
“It may be that the King has discussed his family troubles with Anne,” Bond said, “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.”
The insight from Bond highlights a deeper wound within the royal family—one that extends beyond public opinion or palace protocols. While King Charles remains at the center of a strained relationship with his youngest son, voices like Anne’s, silent but powerful, may now be lost to Harry forever.
For Prince Harry, the consequences of walking away from his royal duties continue to unfold. His recent comments expressing a desire to reconcile with his family have been met with skepticism, especially in light of his past revelations and the deep sense of betrayal felt by those he left behind.
As the monarchy moves forward with King Charles at the helm and Prince William preparing for his future role, Harry’s absence from royal life feels more permanent than ever. Had he looked to Princess Anne for mentorship, things might have turned out differently.
Now, the door to redemption seems nearly closed—and the royal family’s most loyal defender may be among the least likely to offer forgiveness.
