Why a downsized monarchy is 'a challenge' for the royal family
One of the King Charles III's biggest goal in taking the throne was to slim down the monarchy, but one royal expert thinks the plan may prove difficult.
“It's clearly a challenge for the monarchy, there's no doubt about that.” Robert Hardmanauthor of The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchytold exclusively We weekly on Tuesday, January 23. “It is a much smaller work unit than before. Three of the key players are currently out.”
Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles, 75, would soon undergo surgery. “Like thousands of men every year, the king has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate,” said a Jan. 17 statement. “His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure.”
The news came the same day that Kensington Palace announced it Princess Kate Middleton had undergone previously scheduled abdominal surgery and would remain in the hospital for up to two weeks.
“The operation was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery,” said the palace statement, shared via X. “Based on current medical advice is that he is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
Kate's husband, Prince William, then canceled two performances so he could take on more childcare duties at home. The couple, who tied the knot in 2011, are parents to Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5.
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Although Charles and Kate's stay in hospital means they are not currently on duty, Hardman noted that it is not a particularly busy time of year for the royal family.
“It helps that we are in January. It's a relatively quiet royal month,” he explained Us. “It would be a different story if we were in the middle of the high season, which is spring and early summer.”
Despite the temporarily thinned ranks of senior working royals, Hardman believes the family will find out in time. “I think the monarchy will do what it has always done, which is adapt,” he said. “I mean, it has to be agile.”
Born to rule. Before the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III – who ascended the throne in September 2022 after the death of his mother – had been heir apparent to the British throne for 70 years. In fact, he held this position longer than anyone in the history of the monarchy. Awaiting his […]
Before Charles ascended the throne in September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth IIMany royal experts claimed he planned to streamline the monarchy to save money. In practice this means that Charles and his wife, Queen Camillewill take on more duties alongside William, 41, and Kate, 42, while younger members of the royal family will make fewer official appearances.
Charles' sister, Princess Annehowever, has said she is not a fan of the idea. “Well, I think the 'downsized' [comment] it was said one day that there were still a few people around… [to] makes that seem like a justified comment,” Anne, 73, said during a May 2023 interview with CBC. “From my point of view, it doesn't sound like a good idea, I would say. I don't really know what else we can do.”
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi