For years, royal watchers have joked that England's Queen Elizabeth II planned to live long enough to have her choice of successor. Rumors even ran rampant for a time that she would bypass the heir to her throne, her eldest son Prince Charles, in favor of a less controversial member of the Royal Family. However, in an exclusive interview with Newsweek, her grandson, and 5th in line to be King, Prince Harry, opened up about his life as a royal and how those within the line of succession actually feel about their place as figureheads in history.

Modernizing the monarchy

While the British monarchy seems to be experiencing one of its highest approval ratings in modern times, (a 2016 Ipsos Mori poll found nearly 76% of people in the U.K. to be in favor of the royal family,) royals like Prince Harry feel the activities of the family must evolve with the times.

As of 2016, the royal family supported more than 3,000 charities around the world with the Queen listed as a "royal patron" of more than 600, herself. As part of "modernization" efforts over the next few years, these numbers will drop and become more focused on what each member of the family is most personally interested in, allowing for individual research in each organization and more regular participation with choice causes.

While those in line to become the Queen's successor have been busied with the royal duties of attending hundreds of charity functions each year, Prince Harry did make one thing abundantly clear: No one is eager to add a coronation to their schedule any time soon.

"Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen?

I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time," he told the news magazine.

Seeking to balance normalcy with royal life

Mentioned repeatedly throughout the article is Prince Harry's longing for an ordinary life, something that has not been traditionally afforded to members of the British royal family.

Queen Elizabeth was born 3rd in line to reign, but was 25-years-old at the time of her coronation.

She spent much of her early life making royal appearances with her family, and completed a well-documented stint in the Women's Auxiliary during World War II, but has generally lived a very public life. By contrast, Prince Harry says, "people would be amazed by the ordinary life" he and his brother, Prince William, are able to enjoy and even claims to do his own grocery shopping. He goes on to add, "even if I was King, I would do my own shopping."

The young prince caused quite a stir late last year when it was revealed he is dating "Suits" actress Meghan Markle. While the pair have attempted to keep their relationship private, Prince Harry felt forced to issue a statement using Kensington Palace's communication centre, asking the media to end their "abuse and harassment" of Markle.

The press, unsure how to handle a prince dating not just a commoner, but a feminist, biracial divorcee, had spent months hounding the Canadian-based actress outside her apartment in Toronto. Since that time, the couple have been spotted at a number of public and private events, but rarely speak of each other in the media.