The royal family has been noticeably quieter lately, particularly in the absence of the Princess of Wales.
Yet, it appears that the Prince of Wales, who is destined to ascend the throne, has a clear vision for the future.
Under his father’s influence, there’s a push for a more efficient monarchy, which has led to a significant change: non-working royals will no longer grace the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace.
With both the Princess Royal and the Princess of Wales currently away, the remaining royal members find themselves juggling a multitude of engagements and charitable endeavors.
This situation raises an interesting question: is it time to expand the royal ranks to ease the burden?
However, according to former BBC royal correspondent Jenny Bond, the answer seems to be a resounding no.
She believes that this streamlined approach is the right path forward.
Jenny argues that a smaller royal family aligns with the practices of many European monarchies and addresses ongoing concerns regarding the cost to taxpayers.
Adding more royals could amplify criticisms about royal expenses, making the current model even more appealing.
By keeping the royal family lean, special occasions become more memorable, allowing those outside the core group to live their lives without the constraints of royal duties.
Bond’s insights come in light of the Prince of Wales’ commitment to maintaining a tight-knit group of working royals, ensuring accountability to the public.
Recent reports from Richard Eden of the Daily Mail shed light on the prince’s intentions.
An insider revealed that as older family members step back, the Prince of Wales doesn’t plan to invite new individuals into the fold as working royals.
This raises further speculation about the future of the royal family.
Will the prince choose to make his two younger children working royals?
They might end up being the only full-time royals by the time he takes the throne, alongside Catherine as queen.
With Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, being the only other royal under sixty, the Prince of Wales seems to be steering toward a minimalist approach.
Interestingly, Princess Anne has voiced her skepticism regarding this streamlined strategy.
In a recent interview with CBC News, she expressed doubts about the practicality of a reduced royal presence.
Her comments suggest that while the idea of a slimmed-down monarchy sounds appealing, the reality may be more complex.
Princess Anne reflected on the discussions surrounding this topic, hinting that they were perhaps more optimistic when more royals were present.
“What else can we do?”
she pondered, indicating uncertainty about how to proceed from here.
Yet, she acknowledged that the Prince of Wales has been preparing for this role and is unlikely to deviate from his commitment to service.
As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: the royal family is at a crossroads.
The Prince of Wales’ vision for a more compact monarchy could redefine royal traditions in the years to come.
While some may embrace the idea, others, like Princess Anne, are left questioning its feasibility.
The evolving landscape of the monarchy invites speculation and discussion among royal watchers and the public alike.