Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, want the monarch who follows them to be "fit for purpose" as a royal representative [1].
This focus on the long-term viability of the monarchy comes as Prince William considers potential changes to the institution's structure once he ascends the throne [2].
News Corp columnist Angela Mollard discussed the couple's strategy during an interview with News24 Digital presenter Gabriella Power [3]. Mollard said that William and Kate are taking a different approach to royal preparation to ensure the next monarch beyond William is a suitable representative of the royal family [3].
According to Mollard, one of William's primary responsibilities involves the upbringing of the future king [3]. She said, "We also have to think about his other key duty and that is raising the future king" [3].
In a separate interview with Eugene Levy on Apple TV, Prince William hinted at implementing changes to the monarchy when he eventually becomes king [2]. These discussions suggest a desire to modernize the role to better suit contemporary expectations.
Mollard said she is in support of the strategy to ensure the monarchy remains functional and representative [3].
“"William and Kate are taking a different approach; they want the next monarch beyond him to be fit for purpose"”
The emphasis on being 'fit for purpose' suggests a shift toward a more meritocratic or curated preparation for royal duties. By focusing on the representative quality of the future monarch, William and Catherine are signaling a desire to evolve the monarchy's image to maintain public relevance and stability in a changing global landscape.
