Prince William should remain cautious about his vision for a modern monarchy, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle present a “glamorous threat,” warns a royal expert.
In a recent interview, the Prince of Wales discussed his approach to a more approachable and empathetic monarchy, which he described as “royalty with a smaller ‘r’.” His comments came shortly before King Charles attended the star-studded Gladiator II premiere alone, as Queen Camilla continues to recover from a chest infection.
Royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop noted that these contrasting royal moments highlight how much has changed since the high-glamour Bond premiere in 2021.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: “King Charles looked alone on the red carpet, without the retro glamour, tinsel, or tiaras. The absence of Camilla, still recovering, made the contrast even starker. That fabulous Bond premiere when Camilla and Kate dazzled in sequins feels like a distant memory.”
Dunlop observed that the royals may be trying to compensate for a reduced public presence with a focus on philanthropy, particularly in Prince William’s “happy space” of environmental and social causes. She cautioned, however, that the public expects “a large dollop of fairytale glamour” along with charitable work.
She added: “The Royal Family might think they are above such glitzy gimmicks. That would be a mistake. After all, waiting in the wings are ex-royals the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Instinctively glamourous with bundles of razzmatazz, the Californian couple have an effortless knack for combining showbiz-gloss and public do-gooding.
