The British press is unanimous about the archaic workings of the monarchy. “The royals really have to do things differently. That discussion has been picked up by everyone. The suggestions are about how they should do it differently. There are lists and lists of proposals,” says Van Bekhoven.
An example are the many titles of the British Prince Charles. “The title of Prince should suffice for him. That isn’t the case. Prince Charles is the Prince of Wales, but he is also the Baron of Know-Much and the Duke of Again and Earl of Again. People are saying those titles should be scrapped.”
The Prime Minister’s weekly visit to Buckingham Palace is also not necessary at all. “The size of the royal family is also far too big. There are far too many. The royals should not want to play a leading role in the Commonwealth of Nations anymore. Today the queen is the head of the Commonwealth. She has the pressure heated up a few years ago by demanding that Prince Charles succeed her as Commonwealth leader. Why not choose a leader himself, why should that be a royal, is another question.”
“And they also think that there should be fewer palaces and privileges for the royals,” concludes Lia van Bekhoven.
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