Prince Harry feared he would become a has-been when his nephew Prince George turned 18, a source claimed.
The Duke of Sussex was “fixated” before he met now-wife Meghan Markle that he had a “shelf life".
According to a source in a new royal book entitled Courtiers: the Hidden Power Behind the Crown Valentine Low, Harry had fears of becoming "irrelevant".
"He had this thing that he had a shelf life. He was fixated [on] this," the source claims. "He would compare himself with his uncle [Prince Andrew]. He would say, 'I have this time to make this impact. Because I can.'"
"Until George turns 18, was the way he was thinking about it. ‘Then I will be the also-ran.’ He was genuinely thinking of it as, ‘I have this platform now, for a limited amount of time. I want to move forward, move forward.'"
The source went on to claim that the Prince’s royal staff tried to assure him that he was not like his uncle Prince Andrew.
The extract continued: "[Royal staff] told him, 'You can still have an impact in your forties, fifties, even longer. So long as you set the right foundations now.' But he never saw that."
Prince George, nine, is now second in line to become the next British monarch whereas Harry, despite having a new life in California, is still fifth in line to succeed his father King Charles III.
Meghan Markle and the Prince announced in 2020 their intention to step back as “senior” members of the royal family with the hope of splitting their time between the UK and North America.
Around that time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrote on their Instagram that they had months of “reflection and internal discussions”.
An extract from the couple's statement read: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.
“It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.”
READ MORE:
Meghan Markle 'didn't understand' why she wasn't paid for royal walkabouts, claims new book
Meghan 'told Harry she'd break up with him if he didn't announce relationship', book claims
Prince Harry’s inner circle – How Duke of Sussex has been supported by his closest pals
Prince Harry 'snubbed dinner with Charles and William on day Queen died after Meghan was banned’
To read the very best of today’s Ok! content from breaking news to Royals and TV – CLICK HERE
Source: Read Full Article