The British royal family, a symbol of tradition and continuity for centuries, has entered a new era of modernization.
While the monarchy has withstood the test of time, the Royals of today live vastly different lives compared to their predecessors.
Prince William and Princess Catherine, the future King and Queen, have worked to ensure that their children experience the most “normal” upbringing possible, setting a new standard for royal families in the 21st century.
In a poignant reflection on the future of the monarchy, Princess Anne remarked that Charlotte, who stands closer to the throne in line after her older brother George, has a better chance of becoming queen than Anne herself, due to a lesser-known rule established during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Anne acknowledged that while royal titles once held immense prestige, there are now more complexities attached to them, making the decision to forgo such titles a practical one for many royals.
“I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” said Princess Anne. “So I think that was probably the right thing to do in this new Royal age.” Her remarks reflect the changing approach to royal titles in a modern world, where personal choice is given more weight.
Princess Anne’s grandchildren—Mia, Lena, and Lucas Tindall—are also not given royal titles, despite being close in age to the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales. While William and Catherine’s children bear the formal titles of Prince and Princess, Mia, Lena, and Lucas are allowed to live without the expectations and formalities that come with royal titles.