London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

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
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×