Prince Harry once said that he's on a different path from his older brother, Prince William. As the sixth in line to the throne, the Duke of Sussex is not expected to rule as monarch since Prince William is destined to be King.
However, discussions about the future of the monarch have been the latest buzz with Queen Elizabeth's possible retirement in 18 months. Among the questions raised was if it's possible, Prince Harry could take the throne.
According to Professor Robert Blackburn, who wrote the book "King and Country: Monarchy and the Future King Charles III," Prince Harry could take over as Prince Regent based on two laws: the Regency Acts of 1937 and the Human Rights Act of 1998. However, he can only become the Prince Regent because of Prince Charles or Prince William's "non-availability."
Such a non-availability scenario could involve a monarch, in this case, Prince Charles or King Charles, who declines to sign a Parliamentary Bill that goes against his conscience or morals. A Regent will then have to be put in the King's place for a certain period until the Bill is hashed out and decided.
Now, Prince William should automatically be the Regent as the next in line to the throne. However, if he also shares the same objections to the Bill as his father, then that's when Prince Harry could step in.
Another scenario explaining non-availability could be if the first and second in line to the throne die. The Regency Acts of 1937 actually stipulates that the role of Prince Regent goes to the next in line, who must be 21 years old.
This means that if Prince William's children -- Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis -- are still minors, than they won't be allowed to take the throne until they are of age. This leaves Prince Harry to sit as Prince Regent and decide for the monarch. Technically, he will not be named King since that would be Prince George's destiny, but as Prince Regent, he will have the same responsibilities as the monarch.
These are just some of the scenarios that royalists wonder about now that there is a looming change in the monarchy. However, some experts say Queen Elizabeth's retirement doesn't automatically make Prince Charles the King of England. For that to happen, his mother has to abdicate or die before he can claim the throne.
