Prince William has been urged to take a bold and controversial step when he eventually ascends the throne, with a royal expert claiming it would be essential to the credibility of his future reign.
The Prince of Wales, 43, has previously made it clear that he intends to modernise the monarchy and introduce “change for good” when the time comes.
While William has so far remained vague about what those changes might look like, one former royal correspondent believes there is one decision he cannot avoid.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has argued that William should significantly reduce the vast property portfolio he is set to inherit as King.
Writing in the i newspaper, Bond suggested that maintaining numerous palaces, castles and estates would directly contradict one of William’s most high-profile causes: tackling homelessness.
She wrote that the future monarch owning so many properties would be “particularly offensive” when placed alongside his long-standing campaign to end homelessness in the UK and beyond.
According to Bond, the issue goes beyond symbolism and strikes at the heart of William’s public credibility.
“Nobody needs so many houses, castles and palaces,” she wrote, adding that William would need to “jettison or re-purpose” large parts of the royal property empire if he wants to lead a truly modern monarchy.
Bond went on to argue that such a move would not weaken the institution, but could instead strengthen it.
In her view, careful modernisation could help ensure the monarchy remains relevant in the 21st century, particularly against what she described as the backdrop of “poisonous politics”.
William himself has already signalled that change is coming. Speaking previously on The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy, the Prince of Wales said: “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda, change for good.”
He added that he does not fear reform and is instead excited by the prospect of shaping the monarchy’s future.