Prince William is next in line to the throne and a former royal butler believes he’ll make some big changes to the royal family when he becomes king.
Reports have suggested the Prince of Wales and his wife, Kate Middleton, are already laying the foundations for their future as king and queen. Indeed, the pair seem to have both stepped up their royal responsibilities and taken the time to connect with various charities close to their hearts.
The pair have even been seen breaking royal traditions recently, suggesting we could see more of this when they take over leading the royal family. Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes William and Kate “are going to shake it up in a big way.” It comes after Prince Harry was left embarrassed by a reporter’s personal request live on air.
Speaking to The Express US on behalf of OLBG, Grant shared, “I have been saying for years that William is going to totally change the way the monarchy is run.
“To start with, The King and late Queen have/had all these grand properties they like to stay in like Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral and Birkhall – but William and Kate stay in much smaller properties and cottages on the estate.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales are very involved in charity work (Image: Getty)
He pointed to William’s charity work and suggested the Prince of Wales “will certainly move away from some of the opulence of the Royal Family – it will be royal with a small r.”
Grant predicted, “I think we will see him focus on fewer charities, certainly than his grandmother who supported over 500, but that will be so he can give them more of his time and energy.
“I think the big ceremonial events will take place, but I think they will be trimmed down. For example, I can’t see him having two birthdays. His birthday is already in June so I feel he will just combine it with the official birthday. Traditions will stay without question, but those that aren’t hugely prestigious may be cut.”
The former royal butler put the changes down to William’s upbringing.
He told us, “His grandmother grew up in the Edwardian era and his father is still very traditional. William grew up with a very different outlook and in a very different time. He will modernize the monarchy and help it survive. I think he will be very quick to cut things he deems excessive or dangerous to the family – whether that is opulent estates or fringe members of the family living off royal revenues.”
Grants comments come after Russell Myers, author of William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, said William and Kate are “actively laying the foundations for their future as King and Queen.”
He explained, “They are both stepping up the work with their individual causes, and are later this year set to come together for their biggest tour as Prince and Princess of Wales when they take on a diplomatic mission to India, as well as attending the final of William’s Earthshot Awards.”
It comes after Prince Harry broke his silence after suffering a major blow.