Eugenie and Beatrice 'waiting in wings' as William set to 'shake up' monarchy
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice could be set for a return to the front line of the Royal Family once their cousin Prince William ascends to the throne
Princesses Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are reportedly "waiting in the wings" as Prince William prepares to "shake up" the monarchy.
Much like his father, King Charles, the Prince of Wales is believed to favour a more "slimmed-down monarchy". Recent reports suggest that the King is eager to control The Firm's expenses.
This could mean reducing the number of working royals. Since ascending to the throne, the King has depended on his younger siblings — Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh — to fill in as needed.
However, the future of the monarchy under 42-year-old William appears less certain. His brother, Prince Harry, relinquished his role as a working royal to live in Montecito, California, with Meghan and their two children, reports Yorkshire Live.
This has sparked speculation that William might lean more heavily on his cousins when he ascends the throne. This could see the York sisters taking on more responsibilities, according to Royal author Ingrid Stewart.
In an interview with New Day magazine, she said: "They're valuable assets and I'm certain they'll get involved with royal duties when William becomes king. I'm sure they would like to do more and they're waiting in the wings to be asked."
Richard Eden of The Daily Mail recently suggested that William is "starting to see the value" in his cousins. His late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, was also keen on relying on his cousins for support.
Eden said: "From what I'm hearing, Prince William is starting to see the value of his cousins and what, in the long term, they could give. Obviously we had Queen Elizabeth who was supported throughout her reign by her cousins, such as the Duke of Kent, Duke of Gloucester, and the ones I'm writing about this week are Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
"They're doing more and more. They're private duties really, in terms of charity work, but I think Prince William and his father are noticing this and appreciating it."
The York sisters are well-versed in Royal responsibilities and have been spotted at Buckingham Palace garden parties, events usually presided over by the Prince of Wales. Eden hinted: "So I think we should expect some future announcements. It's an exciting time for them."
There have also been whispers that Zara Tindall, Princess Anne's daughter, might be offered a larger role in Royal engagements. Notably close to the King, Zara and His Majesty were seen sharing a warm embrace in public just the previous year.
Richard Eden has voiced his belief that William was eager to have his wife Kate Middleton and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Louis, as his central Royal figures.
During a discussion on the Palace Confidential podcast, he remarked: "Prince William, like his father, has always favoured slimmed-down monarchy as the future and what that looks like being now is just William and Catherine and their children. But, how on earth could they justify all the wealth and palaces for that one nuclear family?"
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