King Charles is believed to have started his succession planning amid his cancer battle, but his son Prince Harry has been left out of the arrangements

The Duke of Sussex

Prince Harry is less than impressed by King Charles’ succession plans, claims expert (Image: PA)

Prince Harry is reportedly disgruntled with his father’s decision to exclude him from succession plans, a Royal expert has claimed.

King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, is said to have accelerated his succession planning by five years, focusing on preparing his eldest son, Prince William.

However, Harry is not trusted to be part of this process. Royal author Tom Quinn revealed to the Mirror.: “Because King Charles has cancer, succession planning is taking place right now at least five years earlier than originally envisaged and it is focused on getting William and Kate up to speed.

“No one is taking seriously, yet, the idea that William might not be able to take over because William being out of the picture is the nightmare scenario that nobody wants to contemplate.”

Should Harry be left in charge, Tom believes that Princess Kate would not oppose him. He explained: “Kate would hate the idea that Harry might be regent with Meghan by his side but she is very pragmatic and if the royal machine said ‘do it’ she would do it. Her image as the dutiful, uncomplaining princess is one she will not want to lose.”

King Charles III wearing the Imperial state Crown

King Charles has been thinking about his succession amid his ongoing cancer battle (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Tom, Prince Harry is unhappy about being excluded from the King’s succession planning, but his own choices have led to this situation.

Tom said: “Harry hates the fact that he is being left completely out of the succession planning, but he has only himself to blame. His choices illustrate perfectly the old adage – beware you get what you wish for. Harry wanted his freedom and he has it, but there is a price to pay and he is paying it.”

However, Tom noted that it’s possible Harry could be called upon to help out in certain circumstances. He said: “It is certainly possible constitutionally that Harry would be called upon to be regent in the unlikely event of both Charles and William being out of the picture.

“Harry would certainly not be passed over without careful consideration if the need for a regent arose, but that would not make Meghan queen. She would be the Regent’s wife, nothing else. Caroline of Brunswick only became Queen when the Prince Regent became king in 1820 and with the British constitution precedent is everything.”

Also, within limits, the constitution takes no account of individual popularity or family rows – meaning that even despite Harry’s popularity, be it wavering or not, he couldn’t take the throne without royal approval.