One Royal Expert Feels King Charles’ ‘Slimmed Down’ Monarchy Might Not Work for This Reason

2024 is off to a rocky start for prominent members of the British royal family. Kate Middleton is currently recovering from abdominal surgery in the hospital, putting her and husband Prince William’s schedule at a stand-still. News also broke that King Charles III will undergo a procedure to deal with an “enlarged prostate.” All of this has one royal expert concerned about the monarchy’s future, specifically King Charles’ plan to maintain a “slimmed down” monarchy.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams feels the recent headlines focusing on the Princess of Wales hospital stay and the king’s surgery is causing concern about structure of the monarchy. “It shows you don’t want a ‘slimmed down’ monarchy. Only four [people] are under 70 as it is,” Fitzwilliams told Us Weekly. Indeed, the latest developments could be cause for concern.

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We’ve always known that King Charles intended to introduce a more “slimmed down,” modern monarchy during his reign. But the recent news involving the monarch and Princess Kate isn’t exactly the way you want to start the new year. Because of their current situations, neither the king nor the Princess of Wales will be able to carry out public duties. There’s even speculation Kate won’t be able to make any public appearances or return to royal work until Easter.

But even before this recent news, members of the royal family were struggling to meet all the needs of this “slimmed down” monarchy. There was even speculation in October that Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice might step in to take on royal duties. Will this be the week that discussing a restructure of working members of the royal family is brought up behind closed doors?

Regardless of what comes next in 2024, this isn’t the start the House of Windsor wanted. Sure, Prince William can step in on behalf of his father to carry out royal duties in the king’s stead and make his own public appearances. But he has more pressing matters at hand — i.e. caring for his recovering wife and their three children. Things might be a bit quiet across the pond for a while.

Before you go, click here to see the 100 best photos of the royal family from the past 20 years.

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