Royal historian says Prince Harry's hybrid royal role could still happen

Simon Vigar, author of *The Four Wives of Windsor*, told one outlet that Prince Harry’s 2020 "half-in, half-out" proposal, which was quickly rejected by Buckingham Palace, may still find a place in the future of the royal family. Vigar maintains that a hybrid role—allowing the Sussexes to run private enterprises while spending a few months each year supporting the monarch—was a viable option that was denied. He cites the Sandringham Summit, where senior royals set the terms of Harry and Meghan’s departure, as the moment the queen’s line was drawn.

While some royal experts, such as Ian Pelham Turner, view the model as a modern solution, others like Kinsey Schofield and Hilary Fordwich argue that the monarchy’s current lean structure and Prince William’s opposition make a return unlikely. Recent family meetings, including a brief tea with King Charles in September 2025 and an upcoming September visit, show ongoing reconciliation but not a shift toward a hybrid arrangement. Vigar’s perspective highlights a continuing debate over how the institution might adapt to contemporary expectations.