King Charles has been pushing for a more streamlined monarchy, steering clear of the traditional crowded Buckingham Palace balcony scenes with non-working royals. Yet, with both the Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal out of action, it’s evident that the Royal Family is stretched thin as they keep up with their duties and charitable efforts.
Still, there’s no indication that they’re looking to expand the Royal workforce, a move that ex-BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond supports. “I still hold to the idea that the slimmed down Royal Family IS indeed the right model for the future,” Jennie told OK!
She argues that this approach aligns with other European monarchies and addresses the frequent complaints about the royals’ cost to taxpayers. She added: “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.”
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Jennie also pointed out that this strategy makes their appearances more “special” and allows them a semblance of privacy in their own lives.
“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 concluded.
Jennie’s views came to light amid reports suggesting Prince William aims to continue his father’s vision and dramatically reduce the size of the Royal Family. A source close to the Prince confirmed to The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: “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 further fuelled the conversation, saying: “It remains to be seen if he will even want his two younger children to be working royals,”.
With Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, being the only other Royal under 60, it implies that when William takes the throne and Kate becomes Queen, they might be the only full-time royals left. The insider was adamant about William’s preference: “That is what William wants,” they claimed.
According to reports, William is looking to the smaller European monarchies as a model for the future of the British monarchy. However, the notion of a more condensed monarchy has previously been met with Princess Anne’s scepticism. In a rare interview with CBC News, she voiced her reservations about these proposed changes.
She shared her perspective frankly, stating: “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 remarked. “You know, he is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true.”
