Princess Anne's subtle dig at Harry and Meghan in rare interview as she throws doubts on 'slimmed-down' monarchy

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Princess Anne appeared to make a reference to Prince Harry and Meghan as she discussed the prospect of slimming down the monarchy in a new shock interview before King Charles' coronation, the Mirror reports.The Princess Royal said it does not sound like a good idea - adding that the suggestion was made when there were "a few more people around", during the interview with Canadian public broadcaster CBC.It is believed that a "few more people" could be a reference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who decided to quit as working royals, as well as Prince Andrew, who stepped down from public life, and the deaths of the late Queen and Prince Philip.King Charles himself is known to be in favour of a slimmed-down monarchy, focusing on those at the top of the line of succession.CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault said it is difficult to imagine how the 72-year-old princess would have the time to take on more work.Anne replied: "Well, I think the 'slimmed-down' (monarchy) was said in a day when there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment."When it was put to her that the world changes, Anne said: "It changes a bit.

I mean, it doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I have to say. I'm not quite sure what else, you know, we can do."The Princess was asked how the royal family deals with recent polling which suggested a drop in the percentage of people who want to see the monarchy continue and if there are conversations about relevance.She replied: "There will be, everywhere.

It's not a conversation that I would necessarily have."I think it's perfectly true that it is a moment where you need to have that discussion."But I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with