In a recent interview, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, opened up about her thoughts on the ongoing discussions surrounding a reduced monarchy.
Her comments have not only raised eyebrows but also hinted at her true feelings regarding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The 74-year-old royal has been relatively quiet about the couple since their exit from royal duties in 2020, making her latest remarks all the more intriguing.
During a conversation with CBC earlier this year, Princess Anne addressed the concept of a slimmed-down monarchy.
She suggested that the decision to reduce the number of senior working royals was made before several prominent members of the family stepped down from their roles.
“I suppose the monarchy was slimmed down at a day when there were enough people present to make that look like a reasonable statement,” she noted.
However, her tone suggested skepticism about whether this was a wise move.
Her subtle jabs seemed particularly directed at Harry and Meghan.
While it’s clear that Anne has maintained a distance from publicly discussing the couple, her remarks imply that she believes their approach to royal life was misguided.
Anne’s perspective reflects a longstanding belief that the monarchy requires dedication and hard work—qualities she feels were perhaps lacking in the couple’s tenure.
Royal analysts have weighed in on the situation, highlighting that Princess Anne has long been aware of Meghan’s struggle to adapt to royal life.
Neil Seen, a royal commentator, revealed that insiders claim Meghan did not get along well with Anne.
This friction, coupled with Anne’s understanding of royal expectations, may have led her to predict that Meghan’s time in the monarchy would be short-lived.
Interestingly, when Meghan first joined the royal family, she sought guidance from Princess Anne.
Reports suggest that Anne offered her valuable advice, emphasizing the importance of commitment and punctuality.
“It’s a job, not a functioning monarchy,” Anne reportedly told Meghan, stressing the need for diligence and deep engagement in charitable work.
Despite being one of the eldest members of the royal family, Princess Anne is known for her tireless work ethic.
She has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to her royal duties, even taking only a brief hiatus earlier this year to recover from an injury.