King Charles could ask Prince Harry to ‘take on royal duties’ after royal family exit

Could a royal return soon be on the cards?

King Charles could soon be tapping in his estranged son Prince Harry to take on some royal duties, according to the monarch’s former butler.

Although the Duke of Sussex, 39, is being kept at arm’s length from ongoing succession talks, it seems as though he could make a swift return to the royal fold as the family navigates several health woes.

“The King has made it very clear that [Harry] is part of his family and always will be part of his family, but as far as the working part goes, that will be something that we will only see over time,” Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, exclusively told The Post.

“It is possible that given recent events, with the King not being 100% and he’s now relying on other members of the family, he could ask Harry to take on other duties.”

“Remember, Prince Harry is still a senior member of the royal family — he’s not a working member of the royal family, but he is still very much a member of the family and Counsellor of State, which means he’s able to step in when the King is unable to perform his duties,” Harrold added.

The former royal butler added that the father of two — who this week lost his bid for taxpayer-funded UK security protection for his family — is still “privy to top-secret information” — despite being estranged from most of his loved ones.

“Technically, he is able to step in for the King. If he wasn’t still Counsellor of State then that would be a very different matter,” Harrold notes.

Last week, it was reported that Prince William had tried to block any chance of his younger brother’s return to the royal fold, despite Harry reportedly expressing interest in a partial return to royal duties.

The Prince of Wales, 41, has apparently made it clear to his brother that he’s not welcome to return to life as a working royal after Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, shut the door on the monarchy in 2020.

As such, cancer-stricken Charles, 75, has reportedly kickstarted planning the monarchy’s future in several talks with officials.

“The King has always been a forward thinker and he’s always planned in advance for things, I think this is Charles just being sensible,” Harrold said of the King’s decision to begin planning the royal family’s succession.

“His current situation has probably made him take a step back, put things into perspective, and ensure he has a plan in place.”

It’s also believed that Harry is “very keen” on returning to the UK with his family. However, Markle, 42, is said to be “apprehensive” about the idea.

The Post has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.