A Modern Royal Approach

Royal commentator Phil Dampier recently noted, “William and Kate see George as primus inter pares—first among equals.

Yes, he’s the future king, but the way things are going, Charlotte and Louis may have major roles too.” While Charlotte’s exact future role remains uncertain, royal author Sally Bedell Smith told The I Paper, “I would imagine Charlotte will be part of the picture. I’m not so sure about Louis.”

Historically, siblings of the monarch were automatically given significant roles. But as royal expert Ingrid Seward pointed out, times have changed: “It’s not like it was in Charles’s youth; nowadays, children make their own decisions. It’s just so different from when even William was brought up. I think children have immense choices now that they didn’t have even 15 years ago.”

Prince William and Princess Kate have often emphasized their desire to give their children as normal a childhood as possible.

Even so, insiders say they are conscious of the monarchy’s future and who will step forward when needed. While Louis’ path remains uncertain, Charlotte may already be on a trajectory that mirrors Princess Anne’s—one of the most respected working royals today.

Learning from the Best

A family source revealed, “Charlotte will potentially become the Princess Royal one day when her father, Prince William, is the monarch. This has many royal analysts excited, especially since the current title holder, Anne, is believed to be giving her great-niece a crash course in how to carry herself in the role.”

Anne’s guidance reportedly extends beyond protocol. “Anne’s ‘training,’ if you will, isn’t just about rank, file, and curtsies,” the source said. “She’s shown her how to spark conversations, but also how to end one and move on without upsetting anyone.”

This balance—being polite yet firm—is something Anne has perfected over decades. As the insider put it, “They couldn’t imagine a better role model than Anne, who doesn’t put a foot wrong and still has her opinions heard and respected.”