King Charles had made his intentions to reform the Royal Family clear long before he became the head of state. According to earlier reports, Prince Charles expressed his wish to downsize the monarchy. “Charles has never concealed his desire for a more limited monarchy upon ascending to the throne.”
He recognizes that the public may not support a large monarchy, and as he pointed out, the balcony at Buckingham Palace “will most likely collapse.”
The monarchy’s existence remains a topic of ongoing debate. While some argue that it provides valuable protection, others believe it is an outdated system that drains taxpayer money. According to a 2021 YouGov survey cited by Newsweek, 41% of individuals aged 18 to 24 preferred an elected head of state over a monarch.
In light of this, King Charles and his son William are working hard to modernize the monarchy, which is a challenging and lengthy process. As the first king to receive a university education instead of being homeschooled, it’s clear that Charles likely played a key role in initiating some of these changes.
Charles has been praised for his environmental advocacy and his efforts to improve the lives of young people in disadvantaged communities. His elder son shares these values and is equally dedicated to these causes.
Royal analyst Katie Nicholl shared insights from one of her sources, highlighting that Prince Philip’s passing in April 2021 brought into sharper focus the future roles of Prince William and Charles.
A family acquaintance revealed to Nicholl, “They are absolutely on the same page, in fact they are closer now than they have ever been.” The two share a deep, genuine relationship, communicating almost daily. “They think the monarchy is real, that it will continue, and that it has a future. They understand that when the Queen’s reign ends, there will be changes in the future and that it needs to modernise.”
Nicholl also noted that, “William knows that the monarchy has to modernise in order to survive,” and that when it becomes his turn to lead, he plans to continue his grandmother’s legacy in his own distinct way.
Experts warn that one of the dangers facing the monarchy is its shrinking size, which results in fewer royal engagements compared to previous years. Frank Young, the author of the Civitas analysis, was quoted in the Express as saying, “The Royal family as we know it is on the brink of collapse and risks abolishing itself by stealth if the King doesn’t take steps to boost visits that have fallen radically over the last decade.”
As a result of scandals, deaths, and resignations, the Royal family is increasingly reliant on a small group of dedicated individuals, with Charles, Anne, and Edward responsible for about half of the royal duties. This could lead to a monarchy that is more disconnected from the people than at any point in the last century, or it may require the introduction of new working royals.
Despite Harry still being a Counsellor of State, who “are authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the Sovereign, for example, attending Privy Council meetings, signing routine documents and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors to the United Kingdom,” the number of working royals has been reduced due to Harry and Meghan’s departure from the Royal Family.
The issue is that Andrew and Beatrice, who are also Counsellors of State, are not active royals. Daniela Elser compares having Harry, Andrew, and Beatrice as potential royal substitutes to “having Gary Barlow from Take That take on the role of governor of the Bank of England or having Cheryl Cole fill in for the Home Secretary.”
The idea that they might be called upon to convene Privy Council sessions, sign official documents, or even open Parliament is problematic. This suggests that the king cannot rely on his brother and son, whose persistent pride and deep-rooted resentment have the potential to cause disruption on a regular basis.
Elser argues that, in addition to the reduced number of royal interactions with the public, the mere mention of “The Duke of York” and “The Duke of Sussex” could potentially undermine King Charles and even threaten the monarchy itself. She claims, “His Majesty is putting his reign – and the whole palace shebang – in jeopardy as long as the eight words ‘The Duke of York’ and ‘The Duke of Sussex’ appear on the royal website as Counsellors of State.”
She further explains, “[Andrew and Harry] continue to be an enduring source of trouble for the queen, but they are both still a part of the royal family.” Ultimately, she expresses confidence that King Charles will navigate the challenges of his new role.
