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Charles’s “desire for a slimmed down monarchy” has been “strengthened” amid the scandal over Prince Andrew’s links to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstin, royal commentator Brittani Barger claimed. It follows speculation over the years that the 71-year-old plans to cut the number of working royals when he takes to the throne.

Ms Barger told the Daily Star: “I think the Andrew crisis has definitely strengthened Prince Charles’s desire for a slimmed down monarchy. “Prince Andrew is now out of the picture. I don’t see him ever undertaking royal duties again, and any hope that his daughters would is now gone. “So the process of slimming the monarchy has already begun as we know Charles was pushing his mother to meet with Andrew and have him step back from his royal duties. “I think when it’s all said and done, the monarchy will be Charles and his children and grandchildren.

Prince Charles plans to slim down the royal family, according to an expert

“Of course, a valid argument could be made for keeping the Princess Royal as a working royal considering how hard-working she is. “However, I see her and the Wessexes continuing to visit patronages and all under the reign of Charles like the Kents and Glouchesters have done under the Queen’s reign - as non-working royals.” Charlie Proctor, editor of Royal Central, added: “I should imagine there were plenty of people sceptical of reports that Prince Charles wanted a slimmed down monarchy when he became king. READ MORE: How William refused to speak to Diana after brutal royal fallout

“It was widely thought that his siblings and other extended members of the royal family provided valuable work, so might have been opposed by some. “It is still true that the extended royals perform valuable work. Princess Anne and the Earl & Countess of Wessex for example are some of the hardest working royals, and a slimmed down monarchy would see them as casualties. “However, since the Prince Andrew debacle and the events surrounding his Newsnight interview, I should imagine support for a slimmed-down monarchy have shot up overnight.” DON'T MISS

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It follows speculation over the years that Charles plans to cut the number of working royals

Andrew stepped down from public duties last month after his car crash Newsnight interview

Andrew stepped down from public duties last month after his car crash interview about his association with Epstein, who took his own life in jail earlier this year while facing sex trafficking charges. The royal was widely criticised for failing to show remorse for his friendship with the disgraced financier or empathy for the alleged victims during the BBC appearance. In another blow for Andrew, Virginia Giuffre’s first UK television interview is to be broadcast on Monday in a Panorama programme entitled The Prince And The Epstein Scandal.

Line of succession to the throne

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