Royal expert shares warning over William's plans for slimmed-down monarchy

Prince William is reportedly planning to slim down the monarchy when he ascends to the throne, which a royal expert has claimed could be a dire decision.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Prince and Princess of Wales would be relocating from their humble Adelaide Cottage to their “forever home” of Forest Lodge in Windsor, as reports claim that William will reside in the residence full time when he becomes King.

Despite the excitement of the big move for the Wales’ to have a “fresh start” after a difficult few years, royal expert Robert Jobson believes the move could change the public’s perception of the monarchy as a whole. It comes as King Charles invites rarely-seen royal family member to summer holiday in Balmoral.

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Speaking to The Sun, Jobson said that by William permanently residing in Windsor, along with his rumoured plans to slim down the monarchy in terms of working royals, his plans could make him “become less connected to the people”.

The royal author told the publication: “People do turn out when they see, particularly people like Sophie Wessex and the new Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward. They turn out in droves. They like that connection.

“And if you lose that connection, the monarchy actually loses something that it's about. I think you've got to be careful what you wish for.”

There are currently just 11 working members of the Royal Family after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure in 2020. They include the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

Jobson further clarified that royal fans will simply have to “wait and see” as William is changing “things the way he wants to” for when he ascends the throne.

The royal expert acknowledged that part of the Waleses’ move to Forest Lodge comes as William wishes to focus on being a father to his three children as his priority, while also preparing for his future role as King. However, Jobson stressed that “it's not a question of choice - it's a question of duty.”

He said: “I think that William has got to be quite careful whilst doing this balancing act. The role of the monarch is one where duty has to come first.

“I don't think there's any way around that unless you want to have a part-time monarch or a president. The reality is that is the job. It's a job for life and it's a job that's pretty relentless.”

William, Kate and their three children George, Charlotte and Louis, are planning to move into Forest Lodge before the end of the year. Insiders say the family are hoping for a “fresh start” after a difficult time at Adelaide Cottage, during which Queen Elizabeth died in 2022 and Kate and Charles were diagnosed with cancer.