Royals: Princess Anne defends the monarchy

Shortly before the coronation of her brother King Charles, Princess Anne defended the importance of the British monarchy for society. “I would like to emphasize that the monarchy – together with the constitution – creates a level of long-term stability that is difficult to achieve in any other way,” the 72-year-old said in a recent interview with Canadian broadcaster CBC. Nevertheless, it is right to have these debates at the current time.

Some polls had recently revealed a decline in support for the monarchy in British society. However, in a recent survey of more than 11,400 Britons commissioned by the Daily Mail, which the newspaper reported on Tuesday, 56 percent said they would vote to preserve the monarchy in tomorrow’s referendum. However, almost three quarters believed that the royal family needed to modernize in order to survive.

Another poll commissioned by The Times shows that King Charles III. in the favor of his people has increased: 62 percent of those surveyed currently stated that the 74-year-old was good for the monarchy. In March of last year – before Charles’ accession to the throne – this value was only 39 percent, according to the newspaper.

Princess Anne reckons her brother will remain true to himself in his new role as king. “You know what you’re getting because he’s been practicing for a while and I don’t think he’s going to change,” the princess said in the television interview.

When asked if the monarchy needed to be streamlined, Anne said Charles’s idea came about “when there were a little more people around”. Since Prince Andrew and Prince Harry are no longer part of the working royal family, the circle has narrowed anyway. “Where we are now, it doesn’t seem like a good idea to me,” said Anne.