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The ceremonial balcony appearance at Trooping the Colour this year raised some eyebrows due to the low number of royal family members in attendance. Only working royals were present at the event, continuing the post-pandemic policy set by the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, some whispers suggest the slimmed down monarchy could become permanent under King Charles and Prince William.
I recently spoke to a friend of Prince William who shared some worrying insights into William's vision for the future of the monarchy. The friend said that William fully agrees with his father King Charles' view that a slimmed down monarchy is needed once the older generation of royals retire. In William's vision, he has no plans to invite any new members to become working royals. It is unclear if he will even want his two younger children to take on official royal duties.
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Currently, the only working royal under the age of 60 is Sophie, Countess of Wessex. This means that by the time William ascends the throne, he and Catherine may be the only full-time working royals representing the monarchy. Some say this is William's desired approach, looking to smaller European monarchies like those in Belgium and the Netherlands as a model for the future of the British royal family.
However, focusing the monarchy so heavily around just one couple could spell trouble. William is in a difficult position - inviting more family to be working royals may look like "too many hands" draining public funds, but with just him and Catherine, the monarchy risks becoming dull and losing public interest and support. Royal engagements with just the two of them will not have the same fascination as events involving a larger number of family members.
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Many are already worried the monarchy has lost much of its magic since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. With her gone, the enthusiasm from the public seems to be fading. Future events like Trooping the Colour risk being rather boring occasions with so few royals in attendance. Part of what made the royal family appealing was seeing a variety of personalities across different generations - with just William and Catherine, it may seem like more of a job than an elite family dynamic.
Of course, slimming down costs would help manage taxpayer money spent on the monarchy. However, the monarchy's popularity also depends on it maintaining a certain level of mystique, glamour and interest from the public through its high-profile members. An excessively slimmed down future as reportedly envisioned by Prince William fails to acknowledge that the value of the monarchy is as much cultural and symbolic as it is financial.
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There is also a risk that future generations may not feel as connected to or invested in a monarchy centered around very few individuals. While taxpayers appreciate financial responsibility, they also take pride and pleasure in royal events and the soft power of the institution around the world. With gloriously ornate ceremonies like state openings of parliament and jubilees only showcasing a handful of royals, people may start to question if the tradition justifies the cost.
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In the end, the monarchy needs to strike a balance. It must remain relevant and appealing to younger generations, while still respecting taxpayers. Perhaps a compromise approach could invite royals beyond William and Catherine to do occasional engagements, without making them full-time working members. The whittling down of the monarchy as rumored may satisfy financial goals in the short term, but risks damaging the monarchy's popularity, mystery and longevity if taken too far. Only time will tell if the post-Elizabeth era can regain some of the magic and maintain public support for generations to come.
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