Her Majesty would find it “extremely difficult” to “deprive” Prince Charles of his birth right to be King, Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell has told Us Weekly.
Elizabeth II has shown no sign of stepping down as Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, but rumours have swirled for years about what might happen to the monarchy when finally steps down.
Her son, Prince Charles, is expected to ascend the thrown, and has made it “quite clear” that he “intends to slim down the monarchy,” Princess Diana’s butler has claimed.
Mr Burrell has said he plans to “reduce the number of full-time working members of the family” to those just in the “immediate line of succession.”
Aside from Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the immediate line of succession currently includes Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
It is likely Charles’ plans would have included Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but the pair decided to step down as senior members in January 2020.
Mr Burrell told Us Weekly: “Charles has made it quite clear that he intends to slim down the monarchy and reduce the number of full-time working members of the family to those in the immediate line of succession.”
He also told the publication the Duke of Wales has dreamt of being King his “entire life” and sees ascending the throne as his “birth right.”
Mr Burrell said Her Majesty would therefore have an “extremely difficult” time “depriving” her son of that right, if she were to choose a different heir.
He said: “Charles will serve as king with Duchess Camilla by his side
“This is something he’s dreamed about his entire life — he sees it as his birthright, and Her Majesty would find it extremely difficult to deprive him of that.”