Prince Harry, the grandson of British monarch Queen Elizabeth has revealed that no one in the royal family really wants to be king or queen, although they will do their duty.

The 32-year old told Newsweek magazine that he believes the monarchy is a force for good and wants to continue the good work the queen has carried out during her reign.

“We are involved in modernizing the British monarchy. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people,” he said, “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.”

Harry is fifth in line to the throne, after his father Prince Charles, his older brother Prince William and his niece and nephew, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.

He insists that the “magic” of the monarchy is important although he claims to try to live as ordinary a life as possible.

“My mother took a huge part in showing me an ordinary life, including taking me and my brother to see homeless people. Thank goodness I’m not completely cut off from reality,” he said.

“People would be amazed by the ordinary life William and I live. I do my own shopping. Sometimes, when I come away from the meat counter in my local supermarket, I worry someone will snap me with their phone. But I am determined to have a relatively normal life, and if I am lucky enough to have children, they can have one too. Even if I was king, I would do my own shopping.”

Prince Harry clearly resents the way his grief at the loss of his mother in 1997, when he was 12, was served up for public consumption. “My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television,” he said, “I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don’t think it would happen today.”

The death of his mother caused Harry psychological problems which he addressed with professional help. “My mother died when I was very young. I didn't want to be in the position I was in, but I eventually pulled my head out of the sand, started listening to people and decided to use my role for good. I am now fired up and energized and love charity stuff, meeting people and making them laugh,” he said.

“I sometimes still feel I am living in a goldfish bowl, but I now manage it better. I still have a naughty streak too, which I enjoy and is how I relate to those individuals who have got themselves into trouble.”

Prince Harry is currently in a relationship with US actress Meghan Markle who he has tried to protect from media intrusion.