London – Princess Anne, the younger sister of King Charles III, gave a rare interview before Saturday from her brother coronationBy telling the Canadian Public Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that regulating Britain’s royal family to make it a smaller and cheaper institution for UK taxpayers “didn’t sound like a good idea”.
CBS news partner BBC News reports that there have been reports that King Charles may be looking to reduce the number of “working” royals, and thus the cost of maintaining the monarchy.
Mark Asplund/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
When asked if a diluted monarchy would be a good idea, Anne said – without making any explicit reference to her two high-ranking brothers’ departures, Prince Andrewor her nephew Prince Harry and his wife Meganby their senior roles as members of the royal family – that the suggestion may have been made “when there were few persons around”.
She noted that the world has changed, and family members who still perform formal functions are getting older.
“It doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing,” she said.
Max Mambi/Indigo/Getty Images
Anne said she and other royals would likely “change the way we support” the new king, but she didn’t explain what she expected from that.
“My mom hasn’t changed much. We kind of knew the rhythm of the year. So, things like that are going to change,” Ann told CBC. How we are part of supporting the monarchy may change a bit, who knows.
As her brother prepares for his coronation, Princess Anne said he likely won’t change much in his new role.
“You know what you’re getting into, because he’s been training a little bit, and I don’t think he’s going to change,” Ann said. “He is committed to … his own level of service and that will remain true.”
The death of Queen Elizabeth II last year sparked debates around the world about the role and purpose of the monarchy, especially in the countries of the British Commonwealth where the monarch of the United Kingdom remains the official head of state.
In Canada, where she was interviewed by the King’s sister, a September poll found that 54% thought Canada should sever ties with the British monarchy.
“I think it’s absolutely right that it’s a moment where you need to have this discussion,” Anne said. “But I would only emphasize that the monarchy provides, together with the Constitution, a degree of long-term stability which is difficult to achieve in any other way.”