Commentators ask whether a pared down Royal Family might be more in tune with modern Britain. Katharina Beiersdörfer, on work placement with Deep South Media, interviews experts to find out more.
It is Trooping the Colour in June – and Queen Elizabeth II and her family have gathered to mark the official birthday of Her Majesty.
All eyes are set on the iconic balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Apart from the Queen, 95, we will recognise several senior working royals, such as Prince Charles and Prince William with their spouses.
But those standing on the outer edges are likely to prompt question marks on our faces.
Who are they?
This questioning could end if Prince Charles, once he becomes king, sets a longstanding plan into practice: a scaled-down monarchy.
According to reports, the slimming-down of the British monarchy would imply that possibly only eight senior working royals would be in charge of safeguarding the future of the Crown.
But should this step be taken?
Dr Ed Owens, a historian, royal commentator and author, told me that he would find it extraordinarily sensible: “Mainly because it means that there are less people like [Prince Charles’] brother Andrew who could threaten to bring the institution into disrepute.”
William, the content creator of “europe.monarchies”, agrees: “Today, monarchies must avoid dramas to survive and so not being a burden for the economy is a good way to avoid scandals.
“It’s a strategic way to keep the monarchy alive in a world where they became the exception to republics.“
As William says, it is all about making sure that the monarchy has a stable future.
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“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.” Queen Elizabeth II, addressing the world in a radio broadcast from Cape Town, Africa, on her 21st birthday.
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The start could be a scaled-down coronation but what implications could such a redesign involve?
Dr Owens acknowledges a major challenge that could arise if a scaling-down were to take place at some point: “The monarchy has become so deeply embedded in British national life that it needs a fairly large group to undertake all the day-to-day activities .”
Jami, the content creator of “royalteawithjam” on Instagram, sees the need for particular members to remain: “I feel Princess Anne, Edward and Sophie need to be kept on until they can no longer fulfil their roles.
“They are a great asset and help cover responsibilities well.”
Princess Anne was only recently named hardest working royal once again and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Without people like Princess Anne, a scaled-down monarchy would be different, while a possible motto remains the same: “A desire for trying to keep it as small as possible whilst also keeping the show on the road,” concludes Owens.
* Katharina Beiersdörfer is in her final year on the NCTJ-accredited BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism course at Bournemouth University.
