The News Agents The Royal Family: Abolish, reform or carry on?
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Feb 26, 2026 A heated debate on whether recent scandals mean the monarchy should be slimmed down, reformed or ended. Conversations cover opaque royal finances, the trade-off between many working royals and a leaner court, and how soft power and global recognition shape Britain’s standing. Polling trends, possible reforms under Charles and William, and playful ideas about national symbols are also discussed.
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Transparency Clash With An Opaque Monarchy
- Public appetite for transparency now clashes with an opaque British constitutional monarchy.
- Lewis Goodall argues royal finances and privileges (sovereign grant, duchies, tax exemptions) resist modern scrutiny and fuel the current crisis.
Disclose Royal Payments And Duchy Sources
- Increase financial transparency and public accounting for royal funds to restore legitimacy.
- Emily Maitlis suggests clear disclosure about payments (eg the settlement linked to Prince Andrew) and the sources within duchies or private estates.
Woking Listener Proposes Denmark Style Monarchy
- Tom Bunsudi O'Brien from Woking suggested two reforms: slim the family and increase financial transparency.
- He referenced Prince Andrew's Pizza Express alibi and favoured a Scandinavian-style royal core.