Harry and Meghan’s departure has sped up decline of monarchy, royal expert claims

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tumultuous ‘Megxit’ accelerated the monarchy’s decline, warn experts.

Princess Anne, Princess Royal, and King Charles are among 11 working royals paid $89 million a year to operate as a family firm. Picture: Getty Images

The British monarchy will be unrecognisable within five years of King Charles’ coronation after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fast-tracked the royal family’s demise, according to palace experts.

The warning of a rapidly-vanishing monarchy shrinking to just six working royals by 2028 comes amid rising republican sentiment in both Britain and Australia following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The anticipated decline in the “family firm” of working royal family members to six – from the current 11 – coincides with King Charles’ push to slim down the monarchy.

New figures, meanwhile, reveal the British government will fund monarchy to the tune of £86 million ($162 million), costing the taxpayer £2.40 ($4.53) a year. That’s down by £12 million ($22 million) from two years ago.

The King’s wish to slim down further will happen naturally following the exit of the Sussexes and Prince Andrew and the advance age of working royals in their 70s and 80s, according to the report by a think tank of academics

King Charles III and the Queen Consort, both in their 70s, are among the 11 ageing working royals paid $162 million a year to operate as a family firm Picture: AFP

“The UK is much larger than its European counterparts and the monarch has a global reach, he’s king of 14 counties – Australia, Canada, and Jamaica have had a lively debate about shedding him as head of state,” said Robert Hazell, professor of Government and the Constitution at University College London, a member of think tank The Constitution Unit.

“It needs a bigger family in terms of working royals to manage the population but they‘re all getting on a bit – only four are under 60.

“King Charles who wants to see a streamlined royal family will see his wish fulfilled naturally.

“With the departure of Prince Andrew and subsequently Prince Harry and Meghan, there are now 11 working royals. Within five years the monarchy will be reduced to six working royals.”

Currently 11 working royals are recorded in the Court Circular as carrying out royal duties, seven of which are full time: Charles III (aged 74) and Camilla (75); William Prince of Wales (40) and Kate (41); Edward Duke of Edinburgh (59) and his wife Sophie (58) and Princess Anne (72). Additionally, four older royals contribute part time: the Duke of Kent (87); Princess Alexandra (86); and the Duke (78) and Duchess (76) of Gloucester.

In 2019-20 the Royal Family carried out 3,200 official engagements. That number was down to 2,300 in 2021-22, partly because of Covid.

The departures of the Duke of Sussex and duchess of Sussex and Prince Andrew has streamlined the number of working royals Picture: Getty Images

“But it will be hard to reach the previous level with a smaller team,” Mr Hazell added.

“The Queen’s platinum jubilee is likely to be the last occasion when almost all the realms received a royal visit. Per head of the population, the monarchy is not that expensive.

“Yes they lead lives of great privilege in castles with lots of servants but it is a guided cage, they lack fundamental freedoms, suffer intrusion on their lives and have no free choice of career or freedom of speech – every speech Charles gives is vetted by the government.”

The Duke of York was forced to withdrew from royal duties in the wake of his association with US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Picture: WireImage

In its, the think tanks argues the coronation of a new monarch next Saturday will cement the view of support for the monarchy in the UK, with 60 per cent of Britons saying they would like it to continue whereas support for a republic is between 15-25 per cent.

“Those figures haven‘t changed in the six months Charles has been king.

“But if that support fades away the monarch is in serious trouble, the future of the monarchy depends on public support.”

Meanwhile flight restrictions are set to be put in place across the south and south east of England on the day of the King; s coronation because of a planned 60-plane flypast.

The Queen’s cousin The Duke Of Gloucester With His Wife The Duchess Of Gloucester, are both in their late 70s and fulfil working duties part time. Picture: Getty Images

A ban has been issued on aircraft flying below certain heights in areas near where the flypast will take place with more than 60 aircraft from the Royal Navy, the Army and Royal Air Force – including the Red Arrows – will take part in a six-minute flypast over The Mall at 2.15pm on May 6.

Restrictions on aircraft not taking part will be in place in airspace above parts of London, East Anglia and the North Sea at various times from 12.15pm until 2pm.

A note sent by the Civil Aviation Authority and Nats, the air traffic control service, said: “Due to the large number of aircraft involved [in the flypast], the Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it is necessary to introduce restrictions on flying regulations.”

Last year Heathrow Airport cancelled more than 100 flights on the day of the queen‘s funeral to minimise noise during the two minutes of silence during the ceremony. All flights due to take off 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the 11.55am silence were grounded.

Originally published as Harry and Meghan’s departure has sped up decline of monarchy, royal expert claims