Page 6 - Woman's Weekly - New Zealand (January 2020)
P. 6
COVER STORY
WHY THE NEW DECADE MARKS A
TURNING POINT FOR THE ROYALS
t’s a charming photo that monarchy significantly slimmed
obviously has historical down,” says one royal source.
Isignificance. But royal experts “The other photos released
say the recent shot of the of the four generations have
Queen and her three heirs – been taken to mark particular
Prince Charles, Prince William occasions such as George’s
and Prince George – is more christening and a milestone
than just a nice family portrait. birthday for the Queen.
Taken to mark the start of a “This picture is supposedly
new decade, the photo is only in recognition of the start of the
the third official shot of the 2020s, but it is more likely to be
quartet. The other two were Charles’ way of saying, ‘This is
taken at George’s christening the future of the royal family in
in 2013 and to mark the this new decade – we are the Portrait of a ruler! The Queen, Charles, William and George
Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016. ones who matter.’” don’t have many pictures together as just the four of them,
except (clockwise from above left) in 2013 for George’s
The formal shot was taken The heir apparent has made christening; in 2016 to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday;
at Buckingham Palace by no secret of the fact that he and this year to mark a new decade and royal order.
Ranald Mackechnie on the thinks the royal family should
same day that more casual be pared down. Charles (71) to streamline by the time he a year, but the expenses they
pictures were snapped of is said to be keen to “shave becomes king. For example, have to cover are huge.
the four generations making off” members who are not the Privy Purse, funded by the Cost-cutting measures have
Christmas puddings together as immediate heirs to the throne Duchy of Lancaster (a portfolio been taking place for quite a
part of an initiative supporting in a bid to cut costs. of land, property and assets few years now. In 2011, Andrew
the Royal British Legion. This will save the taxpayers held in trust for the reigning (59) was said to be furious when
While it may not seem money because via the monarch), contributes towards the nearly $1 million to pay for
unusual to have taken the Sovereign Grant they fund living expenses for Charles’ police protection for daughters
opportunity to get the current royals carrying out official duties, siblings Prince Andrew, Princess princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
monarch and the future kings with their travel and staffing Anne and Prince Edward, along was cut. Around the same time
together for a snap, royal expenses, in particular, high. with extended family members. he asked for his girls to be
watchers say the posed picture But it will also save money for Charles pays for himself and full-time royals, funded by
is sending a very important the monarch. The Queen herself sons William and Harry and the Sovereign Grant, but his
message about the future of funds living expenses for those their families from his Duchy request was turned down by
the royal family. in the family who don’t get of Cornwall, which he earns an the Queen (93), who was
“It’s very likely that this payments from the public purse income from as the Duke of apparently backed by Charles.
photograph is a sign of Prince via the Privy Purse, and that’s Cornwall. The two duchies At the time Charles was said
Charles’ desire to see the something Charles may want bring in more than $80 million to be keen on a royal family
6 New Zealand Woman’s Weekly
