Four years of schismatic upheaval in the House of Windsor has wreaked havoc with the King's plans for a 'slimmed-down monarchy'. As a hardcore of ageing royals valiantly battle on, all eyes are on the Waleses to re-cast the Windsor brand
Four years of schismatic upheaval in the House of Windsor has wreaked havoc with the King's plans for a 'slimmed-down monarchy'. As a hardcore of ageing royals valiantly battle on, all eyes are on the Waleses to re-cast the Windsor brand
The King and Kate, who between them undertake about a third of all royal duties, will only return to the roster at as-yet-unspecified dates once their health permits. In the meantime it is indeed hard to escape the sense of a not so much slimmed-down as threadbare and superannuated Royal Family – diligently, dutifully and largely uncomplainingly – stretching ageing sinews to serve “to the best of its ability”.
Behind these deliberations lies a search for the answers to dilemmas ranging from whether the “slimmed-down monarchy” was a bad idea in the first place, to whether the tantalising possibility exists for a re-shaped form of royalty that is capable of sustaining future generations and moves on decisively from the “ribbon-cutting” model of public appearances defined by the reign of Elizabeth II.
“But it is about finding what is the right balance in a strategic sense – the right number of engagements and the right number of royals to do it. I think this is something they were hoping they could touch and feel their way through. Instead, they have had to take more of a leap into the unknown.” As the former Palace aide put it: “One thing you learn quickly working within is that there is an absolute talent for reinvention. It is their superpower and history suggests they know how to use it.”– an intervention into one of the most fraught areas of contemporary geo-politics that even his father may have hesitated to make as Prince of Wales – William is increasingly being seen as setting out his stall as a king-in-waiting with an eye on matters of global importance.
A financial expert with extensive City experience in his own right, Sean oversees the day-to-day running of Kensington Palace. The couple have also advertised for a chief executive to head the household. Whatever route is taken, it is clear that there seems to be no room in the royal firmament – now and for the foreseeable future – for the Sussexes and the Duke of York, despitefollowing the King’s cancer diagnosis and Prince Andrew’s prominence leading those Windsors attending a memorial service for the King Constantine II of Greece at Windsor last month.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Royal family mourns as Lady Gabriella Windsor's husband Thomas Kingston dies aged 45Lady Gabriella Windsor's husband Thomas Kingston has died aged 45.
Read more »
Windsor castle crash sees emergency services scrambled to royal residenceShocking pictures showed a car crumpled up against the walls of Windsor Castle following the dramatic collision on Tuesday, 12 March
Read more »
Strictly's Lisa Riley and James Jordan lead Robin Windsor tributesWindsor has died age 44.
Read more »
Strictly's Robin Windsor fans heartbroken at final Instagram postSusanna Reid and Richard Arnold both knew Strictly Come Dancing's Robin Windsor.
Read more »
Strictly Come Dancing star Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor dies aged 44...Robin Windsor dead: Strictly Come Dancing pro dies as co-star James Jordan leads tributes
Read more »
Susanna Reid becomes emotional as she announces death of Robin WindsorThe professional dancer, who died at the age of 44, was best known for his appearances on the show between 2010-2013.
Read more »