Princess Anne says ‘watered down’ monarchy isn’t ‘a good idea’

celebrities

by Brock Steinberg

May 2, 2023 | 9:09 am

Princess Anne warns that the “downsizing” of the monarchy after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s “Mexit” and Prince Andrew’s feuds could be harmful.

In an interview with Canada’s CBC News, 72-year-old Princess Anne was asked about the idea of ​​a “softened” monarchy.

The Princess Royal shared that the concept was originally proposed “when there were just a few people around.”

But now, with Harry, 38, and Markle, 41, out, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip both dead, and Prince Andrew stripped of his royal title, Princess Anne doesn’t think there’s any good reason to shrink the royal family even further.

“I might say it doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I stand. I’m not quite sure what else we can do,” she said.

Princess Anne has also defended the crown after recent polls suggested there were fewer people who would like to see the monarchy live on amid the viral #AbolishtheMonarchy movement.

The late Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter said that “there will be (a conversation) everywhere” about the importance of suffrage, and that King Charles’ coronation would give the public a moment to reflect on the importance of the monarchy.

“It’s not a conversation I’m necessarily going to have. I think it’s absolutely right that it’s a moment where you need to have that debate, but I would just like to stress that, with a constitution, a monarchy offers a degree of long-term stability that is difficult to achieve in any other country. way,” argued Ann.

The princess suggested that the media does not reflect all of the society’s work that the royal family does.

“I think we often get the chance to see communities and people who do things really well and are very generous with their time in a way that, if you look at the media, you tend not to get that impression,” Princess Anne said.

She added that the royal family “doesn’t need to deal with” the global popularity of the monarchy because “the king is the key to that, and the constitution is what the monarchy is based on.”

“We as a family see ourselves there to support that role. What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy and the way it can convey continuity, not just of caring, but service and understanding, and the way people and communities want to live their lives,” she said.

Princess Anne shared her thoughts on what her older brother Charles will be like as king.

“Well, 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,” she said of King Charles, who was the longest-serving Prince of Wales and held that title for 64 years. and 44 days. “He is committed to his own level of service and that will remain true.”

While Charles may not change, Anne believes there will be a change in how the royal family supports him as king.

“My mother has been Queen for a very long time. And although you kind of know that might happen, you don’t really think about it much — not least because monarchy is about continuity.” For the rest of us, it’s more about, well, we have to change the way we We support it. And that’s what we need to do.”

The interview comes just five days before the coronation of King Charles on May 6. Princess Anne will be part of the coronation procession as the Golden Globes-in-waiting.