Prince William Faces Declining Working Royals, Plans Monarchy Modernization

Prince William is facing a significant reduction in the number of royal family members available to share the workload of public and international engagements, a trend that has seen the total number of working royals and engagements nearly halve since 2011. Key figures like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew have stepped back or been removed from official duties, while aging senior royals may soon retire, leaving William to potentially rely on younger relatives such as Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, until his own children are old enough to participate. Despite these challenges, William is preparing to modernize the monarchy, emphasizing a more informal approach and expressing excitement about implementing thoughtful changes without discarding traditions that resonate with the public. His efforts to adapt include utilizing cousins like Princess Eugenie for royal duties and embracing a more relaxed style, avoiding the monarchy's traditional theatrical costumes. Additionally, William has been seen embracing contemporary lifestyle elements, such as riding an electric scooter around Windsor Castle, signaling a break from more formal royal customs. This combination of a shrinking pool of working royals and William's intent to modernize suggests a monarchy in transition, balancing heritage with evolving public expectations.