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Lifestyle
Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Frogmore Cottage eviction was ‘just the start’ of King Charles III’s ‘five-year’ plan to slim down the monarchy, claims senior source

King Charles

King Charles III's plan to slim-down the monarchy has begun, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's eviction from Frogmore Cottage marking the start of the King's five-year slim-down plan, a senior source has claimed. 

King Charles' long suspected plan for a slimed down monarchy is reportedly underway. According to reports, the King is carrying out a 'major shake-up' that will see more members of the royal family, even some who are working members, have to fund themselves rather than relying on The Firm to support them.

The plan will reportedly be complete in the next five years with sources explaining that the changes are not just about cutting spending, but allocating money to where it needs to be most. One senior figure told The Evening Standard, “It is not about cuts, it is about getting the best value for money from those on the payroll. Sometimes less is more.”

The news comes after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's surprise eviction from Frogmore Cottage, with sources telling The Evening Standard that their eviction is both "just the start" and the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to King Charles' slim-down plan to limit spending on the royal family. 

(Image credit: Ben Stansall - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

According to reports in The Evening Standard, Charles's end aim is to reduce the number of royal family members who are financially dependent on the monarchy, planning for them to pay for their own housing. 

A source bluntly told the publication, "The King is not some sort of housing association for distant relatives." They also shared that royal properties will be rented out to people "outside the family" to boost income, though a strict vetting process will be carried out for obvious security reasons.

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Further decreasing their spend, King Charles and Queen Camilla reportedly also plan to cut the number of staff positions in royal households. But while they are limiting the amount of jobs, according to reports, they want to offer competitive salaries and pensions for Palace staff to ensure the most capable employees apply and are fully compensated for their work. 

A Palace insider told the Evening Standard, "The staffing has been on the top-heavy side. That has built up over time, with advisers to advisers and so on. That's all going to stop. The boss wants effective people in effective positions doing effective jobs being paid appropriately."

The outlet report that King Charles has worked closely with Prince William, his heir, on the plans to ensure the monarchy "fit for purpose." 

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