Reportedly, King Charles and Camilla are planning to shake up the monarchy to make it more relevant with changing times. The King is on a mission to reduce the number of Royals financially dependent on the crown. As such, Prince Harry and Meghan’s Frogmore Cottage is understood to be just the ‘tip of iceberg,’ when it comes to his five-year plan.
Discover our latest podcast
Royals to lose access to their ‘free’ Royal residences
According to the Evening Standard, the ‘top-heavy Royal household’ will be run by the King and Queen in the ‘Clarence House way’ after the coronation. Meaning, King Charles is going to remove all the unnecessary perks for non-working Royals and some perks for the working Royals as well. The Royal Family is expected to fund and fend for themselves in his five-year plan.
King Charles is reducing the number of Royals dependent on the Crown for finances, especially when they have little to no role to play. For instance, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. His idea insists that the funds from the Duchy of Lancaster and the sovereign grant should be spent more effectively than just paying for the Royals' lavish lifestyle.
Over the years many extended Royal Family members have enjoyed the perks of ‘subsidised’ palace accommodation and some even have Royal residences that are used as ‘London pads’ by their children. The monarch will put an end to these irrelevant expenditures. A source said:
Over time, that is going to change. Properties will be let at commercial rates going forward and to people outside the family. Where it is in a palace environment they will of course be security vetted.
A lot of practices that have evolved during the last reign will be changing.
The King is not heartless or reckless, but if the family members are not part of the core family and not working for the crown, it is fair for them to house themselves and fund themselves.
Read MoreKing Charles' coronation sparks new controversy as Princess Beatrice and Eugenie could be excluded
King Charles is not a charitable organisation
The emphasis is to make the monarchy ‘fit for purpose’ and provide its staff with competitive salaries and pensions instead of splurging on Royals. A senior Palace figure said:
It is not about cuts, it is about getting the best value for money from those on the payroll. Sometimes less is more.
Much of what was in place doesn’t make economic sense and will be changed during the new reign.
While another source added:
The King is not some sort of housing association for distant relatives.
Read More
⋙ Kate Middleton: Fans convinced the royal was ‘trying not to cry’ during recent public appearance
⋙ Prince Andrew shockingly still has this important title and it could give him a 'role' to play
Source Used
Evening Standard: The King’s five-year plan to shake up the firm
