Current:Home > FinanceKing Charles' sister Princess Anne says streamlining the royal family "doesn't sound like a good idea" -Elevate Capital Network
King Charles' sister Princess Anne says streamlining the royal family "doesn't sound like a good idea"
View
Date:2025-04-18 21:48:06
London — Princess Anne, the younger sister of King Charles III, gave a rare interview ahead of her brother's Saturday coronation, telling Canadian public broadcaster CBC that streamlining Britain's royal family to make it a smaller, cheaper enterprise for U.K. taxpayers, "doesn't sound like a good idea."
- King Charles III's coronation: The schedule and how to watch the ceremony
There had been reports that King Charles might look to reduce the number of "working" members of the royal family, and thus the cost of maintaining the monarchy, CBS News partner network BBC News reported.
When asked if a slimmed down monarchy would be a good idea, however, Anne said — without any explicit reference to the high-profile departures of both her brother, Prince Andrew, or her nephew Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, from their senior roles as working royals — that the suggestion might have been made "when there were a few more people around."
- Who has been invited to King Charles III's coronation?
She noted that the world had changed, and the members of the family who still do serve official functions were getting older.
"It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing," she said.
Anne said she and other royal family members would likely "have to shift the way we support" the new monarch, but she didn't explain what she expected that to mean.
"My mother didn't change very much. We kind of knew what the rhythm of the year was. So that will, things like that will change," Anne told the CBC. "How we are part of the support for the monarchy may change slightly, who knows."
As her brother prepares for his coronation, Princess Anne said he was likely to change very little in his new role.
"You know what you're getting, because he's been practicing for a bit, and I don't think he'll change," Anne said. "He is committed to… his own level of service and that will remain true."
The death of Queen Elizabeth II last year fueled conversations around the world about the role and purpose of the monarchy, especially in British Commonwealth countries where the U.K. monarch remains the official head of state.
In Canada, where the king's sister gave her interview, a poll conducted in September showed 54% believed Canada should cut its ties with the British monarchy.
"I think it's perfectly true that it is a moment when you need to have that discussion," Anne said. "But I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite hard to come by any other way."
- In:
- King Charles III
- British Royal Family
- Prince Harry Duke of Sussex
- Queen Elizabeth II
- Prince Andrew
- Coronation
Haley Ott is an international reporter for CBS News based in London.
TwitterveryGood! (45258)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
Ranking
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Recommendation
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class