Princess Anne 'Ignored': King Charles Did Not Heed His Sister’s Advice on 'Slimmed-Down Monarchy' Issues
Princess Anne was not a fan of King Charles III's idea for a "slimmed-down monarchy," and her views were reportedly "ignored" by the monarch.
"Well, I think the 'slimmed-down' [monarchy] was said in a day when there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment," the Princess Royal shared during an interview before Charles III's coronation.
King Charles III's decision to "slim down the monarchy" is not being met with the wide-ranging approval the monarch may have hoped for.
"That is the backbone of royalty because that is what makes people in this country feel that the royals are worth having," Lady Colin Campbell dished when discussing all the charity work numerous royal family members contribute to Britain.
Anybody who does any charity work in the U.K. knows most of the work the royals do is behind the scenes," Lady C added. "About 98 percent of it is never reported upon, and it’s a big mistake to think that that doesn’t count."
"I think he’s guilty of stupidity. The fact of the matter is I have seen for over 20 years that Charles' idea of slimming down the monarchy is unworkable," the aristocrat revealed.
"Charles seems to be heading in the direction that only what appears in the media should be validated, and everything else should be ignored. We are a bigger country, and there is a real need for the royals to continue doing the unpaid charity work and supporting the ordinary people," she continued.
"Each royal has their own engagements, their own charities, foundations, patronages, and interests," royal historian Marlene Koenig told an outlet. "Beatrice and Eugenie cannot step in for Catherine with her engagements for this reason." The Princess Royal has alluded to problems with a smaller royal family, but the King has not heeded her warnings."
She continued: "Beatrice and Eugenie are Prince Andrew’s daughters, which, of course, would cause criticism from some quarters."
It is believed that the King has envisioned a small unit of working royals during his reign, as far back as the 1990s. Queen Elizabeth II preferred not to "rock the boat" during her record-breaking time on the throne, which allowed the monarchy to operate as it has for hundreds of years. Since each new sovereign gets to shape their era, it is understood that Charles III is fully dedicated to taking a pair of scissors to many aspects of the institution.
Royal traditionalists are not at all happy about these changes, as they feel it diminishes what makes Britain's royal family unique on the world stage. Although the monarch is keeping many elements of pomp and pageantry, he is looking to cut down on how many family members represent the Crown on a full-time basis.
GBN interviewed Koenig.