King Charles has made no secret of his desire to have a slimmed down monarchy, and Prince William plans to continue his father’s work when he ascends the throne

Prince William knows what he wants when it comes to the monarchy’s future and the King-in-waiting is looking to make a massive change to the structure of the Royal Family.

That’s according to a royal writer and commentator. who says the Prince of Wales very much intends to continue his father’s efforts in shaping a more streamlined Royal Family – despite opposition from a very senior member of The Firm.

The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden indicated that inside sources close to Prince William suggest he desires a slim-down monarchy, like his father Charles. Such moves would model a process that has been seen in European countries, notably Sweden and Denmark. Mr Eden quoted a course as saying that, “when the older members of the family retire, His Royal Highness won’t be inviting anyone else to become working royals.”

He added: “It remains to be seen if he will even want his two younger children to be working royals.”

The Prince of Wales will be following in his father’s footsteps (Image:Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Princess Annew believes the Royal Family have been stretched very thin on the ground (Image:Getty Images)

With Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, as potentially the only other Royal under 60 by the time William might ascend to the throne and Kate steps into the role of Queen, they could represent the entirety of full-time royals. “That is what William wants,” added the insider. The same source added: “He sees the small European monarchies as the model for the future.”

Previously, Princess Anne expressed her concerns regarding plans for a slimmed down monarchy during an interview with CBC News, where she openly pondered its long-term viability. During her conversation with the broadcaster, Anne admitted: “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.”

The balcony now only features working royals and the Prince and Princess of Wales’ young children (Image:Getty)
About King Charles, she added: “Well, you know what you’re getting because he’s been practising for a bit, and I don’t think he’ll change. You know, he is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true.”

Charles’ reign has been characterised by his ambition for a leaner monarchy, avoiding the days when Buckingham Palace’s balcony was 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 Royal Family members are as they carry on with their duties and charity work. Despite this, there seems to be no intention to bring in additional royals to ease the burden, and it’s expected to remain this way moving forward – a strategy that former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes is a step in the right direction.

“I still hold to the idea that the slimmed down Royal Family IS indeed the right model for the future,” Jennie exclusively tells OK! “It’s in line with most European monarchies and is sensitive to the constant criticism that the royal family cost taxpayers too much.”, the veteran commentator told OK!.

“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. It makes such occasions even more special and allows those cousins to get on with their lives as they wish, without the strictures of the royal diary.”

“So 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.”