Princess Anne says smaller monarchy 'is not a good idea' ahead of Coronation in rare interview
Princess Anne has defended the role of the monarchy as she set herself against one of the King’s core beliefs
CBC News
Princess Anne has defended the role of the monarchy as she set herself against one of the King’s core beliefs.
In a rare interview, the Princess Royal said she believes a slimmed down monarchy is “not a good idea”.
Her brother, King Charles maintains that the long-term survival of the institution depends on being able to justify its existence - specifically its cost - to the public, according to sources close to the Royal.
Although he has never said so in public, in the King’s opinion, having too many minor royals supported by the taxpayer does not go down well with Britons.
Princess Anne's brother King Charles maintains that the long-term survival of the institution depends on being able to justify its existence
CBC News
When Princess Anne was questioned about the matter in an interview with the Canadian broadcaster CBC, she said: “Well, I think the ‘slimmed down’ was said in a day when there were a few more people around.”
She added: “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.”
While the King has done nothing obvious to slim down the number of working royals, over recent years the number of working members has naturally reduced.
In addition to the deaths of the Queen and Prince Philip, the royal family has also lost three active members.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have moved to California, and the Duke of York has stepped down from royal duties over the allegations of sexual assault.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra carry out far fewer engagements now due to their age.
When asked about the relevance of the monarchy today, the Princess Royal said: “It's not a conversation that I would necessarily have. I think it's perfectly true that it is a moment when you need to have that discussion.”
She added that the Royal family offered a degree of stability that was “quite hard to come by any other way”.
The Princess Royal said she did not think her older brother would be changed by his new role.
PA
Princess Anne, who is often hailed as the "hardest-working Royal", also said she did not think her older brother would be changed by his new role.
"You know what you're getting, because he's been practising for a bit, and I don't think he'll change,” she said.
“You know, he is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true.”
Discussing the future role of the rest of the family, the princess said that he monarch was the “key” figure and that “we ... see ourselves as there to support that role”.
She added: “What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy in the way it can convey continuity ... of service, of understanding.”