16 April 2023 , 07:24
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The royal family is on the "brink of collapse" and in danger of "abolishing itself", a new report has claimed.
King Charles III risks becoming "too distant" from the nation after a drop off in the number of public engagements, it adds.
The report, from thinktank Civitas, claims death, scandal and resignation are blamed for a 40 per cent drop in engagements in the past decade.
It further predicts if junior royals don't do more to support King Charles then the monarchy could easily "collapse".
The report has been published weeks away from the King's coronation.
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The report says the royal family have been rocked by recent scandals (Samir Hussein/WireImage)The coronation is already expected to be slimmed down as only working royals are allowed on the balcony and wearing coronation robes is banned.
The number of UK-based engagements has dropped from 3,338 in 2014 to 2,029 last year, according to analysis.
The King and Princess Anne are the "hardest working" royals, with the most engagements between 2012 and 2022, based on data compiled by retired insurance broker Tim O'Donovan.
The report suggests against having a 'slimmed-down' monarchy (Getty Images)The think tank says family members over the age of 70 are responsible for the greatest share of engagements and suggests younger royals such as Zara Tindall and Princess Beatrice step up.
It comes as the royal family have been hit by scandals of Prince Andrew and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping back from duties as well as the deaths of Prince Philip and the Queen.
Frank Young, the Civitas report’s author, told the Sunday Express: “The Royal family as we know it is on the brink of collapse and risks abolishing itself by stealth if the King doesn’t take steps to boost visits that have fallen radically over the last decade.
“Through death, scandal and resignation the Royal family is increasingly reliant on a few hard-working members, with Charles, Anne and Edward, doing almost half the work.
“We now need new working royals or will have to accept a Royal Family that is more distant from the people than at any time in the past 100 years.”
Furthermore, Mr Young warns against a "slimmed down" monarchy that King is planning for.
He added: "The King’s ambition might be misplaced and potentially misjudges the true public mood.”
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On Thursday, the palace announced that Meghan Markle will stay in California with her children Archie and Lilibet.
It added that it was pleased to announce that Prince Harry will be there on May 6 for the historic event.
On Thursday, the Palace said in a statement: "Buckingham Palace is pleased to confirm that the Duke of Sussex will attend the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey on 6th May.
"The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."
Archewell, Harry and Meghan’s charitable foundation, issued a nearly identical statement to Buckingham Palace confirming the duke will join guests at the coronation.
A spokesperson said: "The Duke of Sussex will attend the coronation service at Westminster Abbey on May 6th. The Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet."
The Mirror contacted the palace for a comment.