Warning: This post contains spoilers for Red, White & Royal Blue

Summary

• Alex and Prince Henry's relationship is now public, which brings its own challenges, such as public attention and tabloid scrutiny.
• While Henry no longer has to hide his sexuality, he still has to deal with his disapproving family and the tabloids.
• Alex's political aspirations as a US senator could strain his relationship with Henry, but he firmly believes in his future and it's unlikely their relationship would affect his chances.

Red, White & Royal Blue ends with a happily ever after for Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry. After their private emails are leaked to the public, Alex and Henry are quickly thrown for a loop, and forced to defend their relationship. While Alex is more open about his bisexuality with his parents and friends, Henry is forced to come out to his brother, Prince Philip, and grandfather, King James III.

In a tense meeting, King James reveals he can have the palace issue a denial, and things can go back to the way they were. However, Prince Henry refuses to hide who he is any longer, even if it will anger his grandfather and poke holes in the royal family’s reputation. With Alex’s , Henry decides to go all in with their relationship while embracing who he is, and there are ers waiting to greet them. A short while later, Ellen Claremont ultimately won Texas in the elections, securing her second term as US president. Alex and Henry leave to go to Alex’s childhood home, hopeful for the future.

What’s Next For Alex & Prince Henry’s Relationship?

Alex and Prince Henry faced a plethora of challenges during their relationship, but Red, White & Royal Blue leaves them in an optimistic place. Their relationship is now public, which brings its own set of challenges. The public attention could strain their relationship, but they’re better equipped to handle it than ever. With Ellen Claremont having won the presidency, Alex is freer in of his behavior no longer affecting his mother’s election chances, allowing him to invest more in the relationship. Prince Henry, meanwhile, still has to contend with his grandfather and brother’s disapproval, as well as the tabloids that will surely keep him and Alex in the headlines.

This could negatively affect their relationship, putting stress on them both and taking focus away from their personal journeys and growth as a couple. The attention could also make Henry more confident in being with Alex, especially now that he no longer has to hide. The biggest snag is perhaps Alex’s political future. The First Son of the United States has political endeavors, which could strain his relationship with Henry. Ultimately, Alex and Henry may have overcome the hardest part of their being together, and it’s possible they will remain content so long as they’re honest with each other.

Alex's Political Future Explained

Unlike Henry, who doesn’t much enjoy being a prince and the attention it brings, Alex has aspirations to become a US senator. He studied government and helped his mother’s election campaign, offering insight on Texas. Despite being with a prince, Alex doesn’t let that deter his political future. Being a senator would allow him to help the people of his state and country, and Alex wants to make a positive impact on the world through politics. He’s already laid the groundwork, and it’s possible he’ll get there sooner than later. Alex’s political trajectory is something he firmly believes in, and it’s unlikely his relationship with Henry would affect his chances.

Why Miguel Leaks Alex & Henry’s Emails To The Public

Although he doesn’t answer the reporter’s question about how he knew about the emails so quickly, Red, White & Royal Blue leaves little doubt that Miguel Ramos, a political journalist, was the one to leak Alex and Henry’s private emails to the public. Miguel found every opportunity to fish for information about Claremont’s strategies via his personal connection to Alex. Miguel and Alex shared a romantic past, and it’s possible the reporter leaked the emails out of pettiness or bitterness.

Miguel may have wanted to get back at Alex, but it could also be he wanted a leg up in the sphere of political journalism. Miguel was at the hotel bar with Alex when he saw Prince Henry walk in, and he must have suspected something was up, especially since he had a sexual history with Alex. With Alex avoiding him and his questioning, Miguel likely figured there was more to the pair’s friendship and exploited his resources for a scoop. No one else was close enough to know that Alex and Henry were a couple, and Miguel was putting his career in journalism ahead of his relationship with Alex.

The Deeper Meaning Behind Alex & Henry Exchanging Their Key & Ring

Prince Henry and Alex have an incredibly meaningful relationship. The deeper in love they become, the more of themselves they’re willing to give. While it makes sense that Henry and Alex would exchange their signet ring and house keys, respectively, these are also objects that hold significant meaning for each of them. Alex giving Henry his Austin house keys suggests he considers Henry his home. Alex holds onto the keys because it’s a way for him to never forget his roots and where he comes from; he carries a piece of his childhood home with him, and that gives him comfort.

Alex handing Henry the key indicates the deep sense of trust and love he has for the prince. He knows the key would be kept safe. Henry gives Alex his signet ring for similar reasons. The ring has likely a family heirloom, and it’s something the prince fiddles with when he’s nervous or anxious. Giving the ring to Alex leaves Henry without the one thing he always relied on — now that Henry has Alex’s , however, he no longer needs the signet ring as much. Henry is no longer alone, and this realization makes it easier to along something he relied on when it came to facing difficult situations.

What Red, White & Royal Blue Gets Wrong About The British Monarchy

Throughout Red, White & Royal Blue, Henry is referred to as The Prince of Wales. However, the title is typically not given to the second-born son, but to the male heir apparent. Henry is not the heir apparent in this instance — it’s Prince Philip, Henry’s older brother and the first grandchild of King James III. Henry is the fourth in line for succession, after his mother and siblings. What’s more, Zahra mentions that Henry is an heir to the throne, but he isn’t, calling himself “the spare.”

However, Henry does mention he is a Prince of Wales, which is different from being the Prince of Wales. Plus, if Prince Philip and his wife Martha have children, they would be ahead of Henry in the line of succession. All that said, Zahra likely doesn’t know the intricacies regarding royal titles, and since Red, White & Royal Blue is a work of fiction, its use of royal titles maintains a distinction that separates it from the real world as it takes on a life of its own.

How Red, White & Royal Blue’s Ending Sets Up A Sequel

Red, White & Royal Blue ties up its storyline for a sweet, happy ending for Alex and Prince Henry. And while the rom-com doesn’t particularly set up a sequel — there are no post-credits scenes or teasers indicating the story will continue — Alex and Henry’s relationship could be examined further in a sequel. With Alex’s mother having won a second term as president, and Prince Henry out to his family, a Red, White & Royal Blue sequel could examine what comes next for the political couple.

It’s possible a sequel might explore their relationship several years down the line. What could their romance look like after Ellen Claremont is no longer president? A sequel could also be focused on what a public-facing romance looks like for such high-profile individuals. The rom-com gives audiences a taste of that, but a sequel could dive further into what that means for Henry and Alex as they move forward. Casey McQuiston hasn’t written a follow-up novel to Red, White & Royal Blue, but if the rom-com is successful, a sequel is always a possibility, even if it’s not necessary to Alex and Henry’s story.