One key move Prince William encouraged to make when he becomes king
Royal experts have argued that Prince William will need to address the royal family's property portfolio
Prince William’s transition to king is expected to bring change, but royal experts say one move in particular will be unavoidable.
Following a year marred by controversy, including continued scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and revelations about his taxpayer-subsidised Royal Lodge home, commentators say the monarchy must adapt, and fast.
Among the most pressing changes? Apparently, a dramatic reduction in the number of royal residences, many of which are currently underused.
Prince William must make ‘change’ to royal houses once he becomes king
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond argued in The i Paper that this issue cannot be ignored.
“Something that is beyond question, to my mind, is the need to dispense with the vast property portfolio that William will inherit,” she wrote. “Nobody needs so many houses, castles and palaces. And it is particularly offensive when juxtaposed with William’s campaign to end homelessness.”
While 2025 had its bright spots, the negative attention around Andrew has dominated headlines.
Revelations that he paid only a ‘peppercorn’ amount in rent for his 30-room Windsor estate prompted a Commons committee to investigate the Crown Estate’s handling of royal properties.
In a briefing to MPs, the Crown Estate stated: “Our initial assessment is that… Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not be owed any compensation for early surrender of the lease… once dilapidations are taken into account.”
Andrew has given notice to vacate the property by October 30, 2026. Without the need for end-of-tenancy repairs, he would have been entitled to nearly £500,000 in compensation. However, that now appears unlikely it seems.
Although Prince William and Princess Kate were confirmed to pay full market rent for their home, Forest Lodge, the optics around royal property use remain an issue.
Bond believes William must confront this head-on as king. “He will have to jettison or re-purpose these buildings,” she wrote. “Careful modernisation of the monarchy stands every chance of making William a highly effective king for the 21st century.”
Prince William as king
Meanwhile, Prince William seems to agree.
In an October 2025 episode of The Reluctant Traveler on Apple TV, the Prince of Wales spoke candidly with host Eugene Levy while touring Windsor Castle. He also offered a rare insight into his mindset as future monarch.
When Levy asked about tradition, William was honest. “Tradition has a huge part in all of this,” he said. “But there are also points where you look at tradition and go, is that still fit for purpose today?”
Later, over drinks in a pub, William was more direct.
He said: “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good, and I embrace that. Not overly radical change, but changes that I think need to happen.”
He’s clearly envisioning a royal family that’s slimmer, smarter, and less stuck in the past.
William may not think about his royal future daily, but he made one thing clear: leadership is something to embrace: “I take my roles and my responsibilities seriously. But you don’t feel they own you. You have to own them.”
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