Inside King Charles' 'plan' for a modern monarchy and what that looks like for the royal family
The Prince of Wales is next in line to the throneRumours of King Charles wanting to cut down or ‘slim down’ the monarchy were reported years before he became king, but the reality is something a bit more modern.
A royal expert had claimed the then Prince Charles wanted to reduce the size of the working royals, and how it would affect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they left The Firm.
But what did King Charles actually say himself, or through his actions – and is a slimmed-down monarchy the same as his modern plans for the throne?
King Charles ‘never’ said he wanted a ‘slimmed-down monarchy
According to biographer Angela Levin, Charles was planning to cut down the monarchy before he took to the throne, following the death of his father Prince Philip.
The Express reports that Ms Levin told talkRADIO: “Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people be worth the money that they got from the taxpayer.
“I imagine that might be when Harry and Meghan are ditched from being members of the royal family.”
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However, author Robert Hardman chimed in years later to clarify the monarch had never said that.
In January, he claimed King Charles’ hopes for a ‘slimmed-down monarchy’ have no evidence behind it, but it doesn’t mean a modern one is off the cards, as they mean two different things.
He explained to Marie Claire: “There’s always been a bit of mythology around this slimmed-down monarchy thing, because if you were to actually try and find any evidence that he advocated that, or called for it, you won’t find any, because he never did.”
But he did detail how while “it was understood that he saw the monarchy moving forward as being a smaller working unit” there was “never a specific plan.”
It seems it was more of a natural process over a schedule in place to cut out key royals.
Buckingham Palace balcony changing over time
However, one aspect has appeared to come true – the number of royals at official events or the Buckingham Palace Balcony.
Hardman added extended royal family members are usually seen on the balcony – if you cast your mind back to the full line-up for Trooping the Colour in 2022. Whereas, Charles wanted to avoid this when he ascended to the throne.
He explained: “Basically, what people surmised, and was never denied, was that he looked at the monarchy when The Queen came to the throne in the fifties, and there were lots of cousins and uncles and aunts and people hanging around, and you had a trigenerational unit.”
If we look at the number of royals at the VE Day commemoration on Monday, May 5 – we see exactly that.
King Charles was joined by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the three children, Prince Edward and wife Sophie, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Lawrence and the Duke of Kent.
Whereas, previously, Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and their children Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and their husbands were likely in attendance.
This could be bad news for Harry and Meghan’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It comes after reports the Sussexes want their children to decide for themselves when they grow up if they want to work with the royals.
King Charles being the face of the modern monarchy
However, there are examples of King Charles working on portraying a modern monarchy before and after he sat on the throne.
He has embraced other cultures and religions, while being committed to his Anglican Christian beliefs.
If we take his coronation – although it was the most expensive crowning of a monarch for the past 300 years – it only had 2,000 guests and was a small affair than his mother’s. There were no tiaras worn by the royals and most were given a ‘daywear’ dress code.
While the royals avoid politics, they are becoming more vocal about certain events affecting the public.
Following the riots last summer, His Majesty commended those who rose up against the far-right protests that occurred following the Southport stabbings. However, the late Queen opted to not issue any public messaged during previous riots that took place in her reign.
He also invited Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a meeting in the UK following his ‘bombshell’ discussion with Donald Trump in the Oval Office earlier this year.
Read more: Moment from King Charles’ coronation that received 8000 Ofcom complaints
Charles previously said in a statement: “The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a third, tragic, year.”
He added: “Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression. I have felt this personally in the many meetings I have had with Ukrainians since the start of the war, from President Zelensky and Mrs Zelenska, to new army recruits training here in the United Kingdom.”
He’s hugged fans, been more approachable in public and been more open about his health. In 2024, he announced he was undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate to raise awareness on the condition. Then, King Charles revealed he was diagnosed with a form of cancer, again, showing a new page for the modern monarchy, where previously it would have remained private.
King Charles’ ’10-year plan’ for his modern monarchy
Six months after he ascended to the throne, there were reports the new King Charles had a 10-year plan for his modern monarchy.
He became the monarch following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
He has been an environmental campaigner for decades, transforming royal estates with renewable energy projects and committing to achieving carbon neutrality in The Firm. The king installed biomass boilers, solar panels and converting cars to run on bioethanol made from cheese and wine.
Although the King has no plans to abdicate, there are rumours he may rule for 10 years before handing the throne over to Prince William.
While this is speculation, it would be a turning point for the modern monarchy, with King Charles being the first monarch to abdicate since his great-uncle King Edward VII who left his position to marry Wallis Simpson.
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