King Charles’ reign has been characterised by his ambition for a streamlined monarchy, avoiding the past spectacle of Buckingham Palace’s balcony crowded with non-working royals and their families.
However, with both the Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal currently unavailable, it’s been noted how thinly stretched the remaining members of the Royal Family are as they maintain their engagements and charity work.
Despite this, there seem to be no plans to bring in additional royals to ease the burden, a strategy that former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes is a positive move.
“I still hold to the idea that the slimmed down Royal Family IS indeed the right model for the future,” Jennie explained.
“It’s in line with most European monarchies and is sensitive to the constant criticism that the royal family cost taxpayers too much.”
“Adding new working royals to the payroll will only exacerbate that criticism. I think the model William has experimented with is the answer: drafting in his cousins here and there (e.g. garden parties) to spice things up a bit.”
Jennie then went on to highlight how this would make their appearances all the more “special” while also allowing them to live a relatively private life outside of the spotlight, reports OK!.
“I think the King and William are entirely right to be determined to keep the core of working royals a small, tight unit that can be accountable to the public purse,” she added.
Jennie’s views were shared after reports indicated that Prince William is planning to take on his father’s legacy and significantly downsize the Royal Family. This was validated by a declaration from a source close to the Prince, revealing in The Daily Mail by Richard Eden, who stated: “He told me: ‘When the older members of the family retire, His Royal Highness won’t be inviting anyone else to become working royals.”
Eden added further speculation on the subject: “It remains to be seen if he will even want his two younger children to be working royals,”.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is the only other Royal under 60; this suggests that by the time William ascends to the throne and Kate becomes Queen, they may be the lone full-time royals. The anonymous source insisted that such is William’s preference: “That is what William wants,”.
He reportedly visualises petite European monarchies as the blueprint for upcoming British monarchy.
Such anticipation about a more streamlined monarchy in the future has previously aroused Princess Anne’s skepticism. In an unusual interview with CBC News, the princess divulged her doubts concerning these changes.
She expressed her viewpoint candidly, saying: “Well, I think the ‘slimmed down’ was said in a day when there were a few more people around. It doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I would say. I’m not quite sure what else we can do.”
“Well, you know what you’re getting because he’s been practising for a bit, and I don’t think he’ll change,” she stated. “You know, he is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true.”