The future of the British monarchy appears to be heading towards a more streamlined and public-friendly approach under King Charles III. Ascending to the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, King Charles has long expressed his intention to reduce the number of active royal family members. Currently, around ten members live at the expense of the crown, but the new king aims to focus on a core group comprising himself, Queen Camilla, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Another significant change could involve opening the official residences of the royal family to the public to finance the royal collection. These residences, some of which were particularly cherished by Queen Elizabeth II, such as the Balmoral estate in Scotland, could generate substantial income. Historian Kate Williams noted, 'On the one hand, these palaces are grand houses preserved for future generations. On the other hand, they generate a lot of income for the royal collection and are pleasant to visit.'
This move might necessitate 'minor' members of the royal family, including Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to relocate to smaller apartments. 'We understand that King Charles is aiming for a slimmed-down royal family, which means that minor members of the royal family may have to move to non-palaces,' Williams added. This could mean that in the future, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis might live in more modest accommodations, such as an apartment in Shoreditch.
Meanwhile, Princess Kate, the wife of Prince William, has been taking special measures to shield her children from the relentless media scrutiny that plagued her husband’s childhood. Having grown up in the spotlight, Prince William experienced constant media attention, which often disrupted family moments and holidays. To prevent her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, from a similar fate, Kate has taken control of their public image.
Princess Kate, an enthusiastic amateur photographer, decided to handle the family’s photo shoots herself. This unprecedented move allowed her to protect her children from intrusive paparazzi while still satisfying public interest. 'The Princess of Wales understands who she is and the position she is in. She also understands the interest in her family, especially her children, and that people want to see them grow up. So she understands that the press needs these pictures,' explained journalist Afua Hagan in her Channel 5 documentary 'Kate: A Queen for the Future.'
By taking control of the family’s photographs and publishing them on social media, Princess Kate has significantly reduced the pressure on her children. However, this also meant she had to navigate the intricacies of public perception, such as when she apologized for digitally reworking a Mother's Day photo. Despite these challenges, her strategy has allowed moments of genuine family joy to be shared with the public, as evidenced by a relaxed and joyful photo of Prince William that recently garnered much attention.
