Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's removal from UK home is just the starting, as per palace insiders

As there has always been a spare house or country pile sitting around and ready for any family member judged in need over many years, the question of exactly how many residences the British monarch possesses has frequently raised eyebrows.

With King Charles taking the throne, that appears to be about to change. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were reportedly asked to leave their British residence close to Windsor Castle last week, and now the Times of London is reporting that additional family members will also be informed of the same development.

The Royal Couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, were informed in January that they would no longer have access to Frogmore Cottage, their post-marriage residence in the UK. However, it has been hinted that should they choose to visit the country for Harry's father's Coronation in May, they will be allowed to stay there.

In a strategy to cut expenditures and generate alternative income, it now appears that the new King aims to gradually eliminate subsidized rent for other family members.

A member of the royal family is quoted in the British newspaper Evening Standard as saying: "It is not about cuts. It is about getting the best value for money from those on the payroll. Sometimes less is more," while another reportedly said, "The King is not some sort of housing association for distant relatives."

According to The Times, the incoming monarch's intention is for the houses to be rented out at market prices and made accessible to non-royal family members, in keeping with Charles's well-known ambition for a "slimmed-down monarchy" as he takes the throne.