London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Dec 26, 2024

Princess Anne: ‘Being King won’t change Charles’

Princess Anne: ‘Being King won’t change Charles’

‘He’s been practising for a bit, Charles won’t change’ says the Princess Royal in candid interview
The Princess Royal on Tuesday insisted that becoming King “won’t change” her brother.

In a remarkably candid interview, Princess Anne spoke out just days before Charles will be crowned at Westminster Abbey. Talking to CBC in Canada, Anne, 72, said the King was “committed” to public service and that would “remain true” after the coronation. Charles, 74, spent more than 70 years as heir apparent, longer than anyone else in history.

Throughout his wait he has spoken out on subjects that he felt were important to the British public, such as climate change and architecture.

In the interview at St James’s Palace, Anne said: “You know what you’re getting because he’s been practising for a bit, and I don’t think he’ll change. You know, he is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true.”

Discussing the future role of the rest of the family, the princess said the monarch was the “key” figure and that “we see ourselves as there to support that role”.

“What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy in the way it can convey continuity, of service, of understanding,” she added.

Reports previously suggested that the King plans to reduce the number of working royals and the size of his staff to cut costs. Asked about the idea of a “slimmed down” monarchy, the princess said it was originally proposed “when there were a few more people around” — a reference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as working royals, and Prince Andrew who was stripped of his public duties in 2019. She added: “It doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I would say. I’m not quite sure what else we can do,” she said.

Asked about rising support for republicanism in the wider Commonwealth, including Canada where a recent poll showed more than half the population wanted to cut their ties with the monarchy, Anne said it was “not a conversation that I would necessarily have”.

But she conceded: “I think it’s perfectly true that it is a moment when you need to have that discussion. 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.”

Her comments came as the UK was today gearing up for Saturday’s coronation. As part of the preparations, Charles and Camilla were today attending a reception at the Palace of Westminster to meet members of both Houses of Parliament as well as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Buckingham Palace has announced that more than 2,200 people were expected to attend the coronation, a list much reduced from the more than 8,000 from 129 nations who attended Queen Elizabeth’s crowning in 1953.

Among the guests will be television presenters Ant and Dec, in recognition of their roles as goodwill ambassadors for the Prince’s Trust, Vogue magazine’s UK editor Edward Enninful, Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades and singer Lionel Richie — the day before he performs at the coronation concert at Windsor Castle.

Richie is chairman of the global ambassador group of the Prince’s Trust, which has helped more than one million young people since it was founded by Charles in 1976. TV magician Dynamo is also on the guest list after being supported by the charity, getting advice and a start-up loan that helped him on the road to stardom. “The Prince’s Trust gave me the support no one else would and it changed my life,” said Dynamo, real name Steven Frayne.

Other guests will include representatives from 203 countries, among them about 100 heads of state, fellow royals and hundreds of community and charity champions. Latest figures estimate that more than 3,000 street parties will be held across the UK. They will cover a total of 263 miles, which is roughly equivalent to the distance from Westminster Abbey to Land’s End in Cornwall. The most popular day for parties over the three-day bank holiday weekend is Sunday, when almost two thirds (62 per cent) will take place. Some 27 per cent are planned for Saturday, while just 11 per cent are set for Monday.

Hampshire and Kent are in joint first place as the most celebratory counties, each with 251 street parties. Many councils have waived their street party fees for this weekend. James Harris, chief executive one.network, which monitors road events, said: “It’s fantastic to see neighbours and communities coming together to use their streets for parties to celebrate the crowning of our new King.”

A major poll of 11,000 people has also revealed that Britain would decisively back the monarchy if a referendum was held tomorrow. Well over half the UK would vote for a constitutional monarchy, with less than a quarter against, the poll by former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft revealed. Some royal fans are already camping near Buckingham Palace. Equipped with folding chairs, tents and sleeping bags they have picked positions along The Mall to ensure a good view.
#ANT 
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
The Closure of the Global Engagement Center: Controversy, Claims, and Conclusions
The Rise of Princess Charlotte: A New Star in the Royal Firmament
Diplomatic Waters: Finland's Seizure of a Russian-linked Vessel in the Baltic Sea
Reform UK Declares Itself the 'Real Opposition' Amid Membership Surge
Pope Francis Opens Holy Door at Major Italian Prison
Britain’s ‘Wild West’ of Weight-Loss Jab Promotions Faces Growing Scrutiny
Pope Francis Urges Unprecedented Dialogue Amid Escalating Ukraine-Russia Tensions
Dozens Survive Kazakhstan Passenger Jet Crash Amid Tragedy
Kazakhstan Air Disaster: Dozens Survive as Authorities Probe Fatal Plane Crash
Postal Workers Demand Government Probe Into Royal Mail 'Fake Deliveries' Scandal
Explosion Sinks Russian Cargo Ship Ursa Major in Mediterranean
Mystery Shrouds U.S. Citizen Gene Spector's 15-Year Espionage Sentence in Moscow
Zelenskyy Alleges 3,000 North Korean Casualties in Russian Conflict
North Korea's Unseen Hand: Over 1,000 Troops Suffer Casualties in Ukraine
Discovery of 50,000-Year-Old Baby Mammoth in Siberia Fascinates Scientists
Magdeburg Attack Fuels AfD's Political Momentum Amid Rising Tensions
In Magdeburg, Germany, a man is arrested by the police for declaring, "I am a Christian."
UK News Roundup: London Shooting, Travel Disruptions, and Legal Battles
UK Economy Teeters on Recession's Edge Amid Revised Growth Figures
Australian Man Captured in Ukraine Conflict; Government Seeks Answers
Zelenskyy’s Push for NATO: A High-Stakes Gamble for Eastern European Stability
Slovak Pragmatism or EU Discord: Prime Minister Fico’s Polarizing Moscow Engagement
The Ripple Effects of a Russian Victory in Ukraine: A Global Tectonic Shift
U.S. Government Shutdown Averted by Last-Minute Agreement
Tragedy in Magdeburg: Saudi Doctor's Alleged Terror Attack at German Christmas Market Ignites Global Security Debate
Tragedy Strikes at Magdeburg Christmas Market: Terror Attack Leaves Five Dead
Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger Discovered in Nursing Home Following Six Months of Inaction
Prince William to End Feudal Land Restrictions in Duchy of Cornwall, but Controversies Remain
British police appear unprepared to deal with usual suspects
Russia's Ballistic Blitz on Kyiv Sends Shockwaves Through Global Stability
Multiple Tragedies and Tensions Mark Global Events: A Closer Look
Elon Musk's AfD Endorsement Ignites Controversy from neo-Nazis who accuse the AfD of being what they themselves are
Ukraine Claims Unprecedented Russian Losses: The Truth Behind Wartime Statistics
Federal Reserve Chair Powell: "We are prohibited from owning Bitcoin and are not seeking any changes to that law."
A Democratic congresswoman with blue and black hair is having a meltdown over "President Musk."
A sizable group of unauthorized migrants is traveling through Mexico with the aim of reaching the USA before Trump assumes office.
Beatles Reunion Electrifies London: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Ignite O2 Arena with Surprise Performance
Starmer's Envoy Engages Trump Team as UK Seeks Strategic U.S. Partnership
Britain's Retail Rebound Falters as Black Friday Splurge Dissipates
Bank of Japan's Bold Reckoning: A Decade of Unconventional Policy Under Scrutiny
Republican Discord Threatens Government Shutdown Amid Holiday Season
French Retiree Dominique Pellico Convicted for Recruiting 72 Men to Assault Wife Over a Decade
Putin Defends War Strategy as Global Tensions Rise
Putin Claims Progress as Tensions Rise: Conflict in Ukraine Intensifies
Putin's Paradox: Claiming Strength Amidst Sanctions and Isolation
Water as a Weapon: The Contentious Struggle for Survival in Gaza
Syria's Future: A Fight for Democracy or Another Cycle of Oppression?
UK Considers Sending Troops to Ukraine: A Strategic Move or Intensifying The Proxy War?
Renewed ISIS Threat Puts Syria’s Cultural Heritage in Peril
Escalation in Moscow: High-Profile Assassination and International Tensions Intensify
×