Prince William likely to ditch one royal custom when he takes the throne
William “hates” one especially old-fashioned custom and is likely to scrap it
Prince William may be preparing for a major royal shake-up, and one long-standing tradition could be the first to go.
According to veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby, the Prince of Wales “hates” one especially old-fashioned custom and is likely to scrap it when he eventually becomes King.
Dimbleby, 87, opened up ahead of the launch of his new BBC documentary What’s the Monarchy For?, and said: "I don’t understand why people, particularly with the late Queen, were so flummoxed when they met her, men curtseying, people forgetting what to say and all that.”
"I don’t like the obsequiousness. I don’t like that at all. Incidentally, a view which I think William shares, from what I hear. The bowing and scraping element is quite out of date and ridiculous, and the pomposity of the court, which still exists a bit, is absurd."
The veteran broadcaster added that he prefers a monarchy that reflects modern values rather than pageantry: "I’m pro-monarchy if it suits the spirit of the times. I’m not pro-flamboyant monarchy of the Disneyland type. I’m not pro the argument that it brings in American tourists, that’s one of the worst arguments of all."
Dimbleby also suggested that the monarchy faces a shifting public mood: "There is a 'growing tide' of people, particularly young people, who are no longer in favour of a monarchy."
"On balance," he said, "a carefully constructed form of monarchy" under William is "the likely option, and a perfectly good option if it works".
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