One royal author believes Prince Harry’s controversial “half-in, half-out” proposal may still have a future within the monarchy.
Simon Vigar, author of “The Four Wives of Windsor,” told Fox News Digital that while Buckingham Palace quickly rejected the proposal in 2020, he believes a similar model is ultimately inevitable.
“Harry did think that there was a hybrid version that they could do,” said Vigar. “And I think in years to come, there will be a hybrid version. I think he’s right. There has to be a hybrid version of this where people don’t get accused of cashing in but can support their cousins or their brother or whatever.”
“[The Sussexes] thought they could have a hybrid role of having a business life and a private life, while also spending a few months in the U.K. supporting the queen,” he shared. “Harry believed that was an option, which was whipped away from him.”
In 2020, Harry attended the Sandringham Summit at Queen Elizabeth II’s Norfolk estate, where senior royals decided the terms of his and Meghan’s departure from royal life.
According to People magazine, it was there that the late queen drew a firm line. After intense discussions, the answer was made clear to Harry: There would be no “half-in, half-out” role for the Sussexes. They couldn’t be working royals while also pursuing independent, income-generating ventures.
WATCH: PRINCE HARRY BELIEVED ROYAL FAMILY COULD HAVE ALLOWED A HYBRID ROLE: AUTHOR
That year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals, citing intrusive coverage by the British press and a lack of support from the palace.
In the couple’s Netflix series, the prince said the decision to step down was his.
“In fact, it was my decision,” he said. “She never asked to leave. I was the one that had to see it for myself. But it’s misogyny at its best.”
In a statement, publicly confirmed the decision, making it clear that it was “not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.” The Sussexes responded with a statement of their own: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”
In the Netflix docuseries, Harry claimed that William “screamed and shouted” at him during the “Sandringham Summit.”
“It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father say things that just simply weren’t true, and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in,” he said.
Harry wrote that he arrived at Sandringham with the impression that the family would consider five options for the Sussexes. “Option Five” was a full departure. After an hour, the queen’s private secretary, nicknamed by Harry “The Bee,” distributed drafts of a statement announcing “Option Five.” Harry said he was stunned.
“Wait. I’m confused,” he wrote. “You’ve already drafted a statement? Before any discussion? Announcing Option Five? In other words, the fix was in this whole time? This summit was just for show?”
Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital he believes the palace made a mistake by not considering the option.
“The half-in, half-out approach advocated by Harry and Meghan is the modern-day method of how royal families should operate,” he said. “The late
