Prince Harry may have been "taken aback" by the monarch's announcement that Camilla will become the Queen when Charles ascends the throne, a royal expert has claimed.
Her Majesty upgraded Camilla's future title from Princess Consort to Queen Consort in an "extraordinary" message last week.
Now royal expert Richard Kay writes in the Mail that Harry may have been taken aback by the decision.
Prince Charles spoke to both his sons about the change in the weeks leading up to the announcement.
It is understood he personally called the Duke of Sussex to tell him the news, something which may have surprised his second son, writes Mr Kay.
Mr Kay wrote: "It is entirely possible that Harry was taken aback by his grandmother's announcement.
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"Sources close to William indicated that he was not part of the decision-making process, so it is, therefore, extremely unlikely Harry was.
"The story of the relationship between the brothers and the woman who never wanted to be their stepmother was always awkward and frequently tense."
Neither of the princes shared public statements immediately after the Queen's announcement, although William was reportedly 'supportive' of the decision.
Meanwhile, Harry paid tribute to his mum Diana when he broke his silence four days after the announcement.
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He praised her charity work and said he could 'never fill her shoes'.
Taking the statement as a pointed reference to Camilla, Mr Kay added: "He might just as well have added 'and nor could anyone else'."
The royal expert warned that a lack of warmth on the part of Harry towards his step-mother could be interpreted as a snub.
Back in 2005, Harry called Camilla a 'wonderful woman' who made his father 'very, very happy'.
Mr Kay said it is now hard to relate Harry's praise for Camilla with his failure to acknowledge Camilla's new future title.
In her announcement, the Queen said: “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.
“And it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
A spokesman for Charles said: “The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are touched and honoured by Her Majesty’s words.”
Former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said of the Queen’s announcement: “This is the most extraordinary message.”
And recalling Diana’s Panorama interview in 1995, Mr Hunt added: “For Camilla, the journey from being the third person in a marriage to queen-in-waiting, is complete.”
Dickie Arbiter, a former press secretary to the Queen, said hostility towards Camilla after the 1997 death of Diana “has evaporated completely”. He added: “The Duchess has shown that she is a great support to Charles, the Queen and the institution.”
Royal author Dr Andrew Lownie said: “Camilla has earned her spurs. The Queen, who wouldn’t have Camilla in the room at one point, has become very fond of her.
“I think there’s a real sense of the passing on of the crown.”
