Cost-cutting Queen to chop monarchy to ‘fab four’
April 4th, 2010 - 4:51 pm ICT by ANI
London, April 4 (ANI): In her latest cost-cutting effort, the Queen is to chop the monarchy down to a ‘fab four’ - herself, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The slimmed-down line-up means taxpayers will not have to fork out so much for the family - and the Queen hopes it will also boost their public image.
Her scheme is set to be phased in from June, when Princes William and Harry go on their first-ever joint tour.
“Her Majesty wants to leave the monarchy stronger. To achieve this they must have the respect of the people,” News of the World quoted a senior royal source as saying.
“She is determined to pass on a fit and healthy institution.
“There is a belief at the very top that to achieve this, the monarchy must emulate the time when it was most respected - at the end of the late 1940s when King George VI described it as ‘we four’.
“And she believes William and Harry should take the lead.
“This means there is trouble ahead for the surplus younger royals,” the source added.
Kate Middleton, Prince William’s long-term girlfriend, is not part of the plans yet.
“Until an engagement is official, the core focus is on the key members of the family,” one source said. (ANI)
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