ROYALS AT WORK

Here’s a look at the dwindling family members who make up Charles’ right-hand team 

- NICOLA WHITFIELD

 

HIS decision to cull numbers was widely applauded there were too many people drawing from the public purse, too many lesser-knowns bloating the Buckingham Palace balcony at big events.

A slimmed-down monarchy was what King Charles wanted and what the public welcomed. But then the royal house of cards started tumbling down, taking the king and his star player, the Princess of Wales, out of action and leaving the rest of the pack thinner than anyone could've predicted.

Of course, Kate could soon be back and Charles is doing his best to conduct his duties virtually. But illness has exposed a stark reality: the House of Windsor is fragile and vulnerable and those left carrying the can are hardly a vibrant bunch.

Of the 10 working royals, only Kate and William are under 50. The majority are over 70 - and for a family that wants to appeal to the young, the future is looking a little shaky right now.

Here's a look at the working royals William and Kate excluded - who make up Charles' right-hand team.

THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER

Who they are Prince Richard, aka the Duke of Gloucester, is 79 and a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth. He and his 76-year-old Danish wife, Birgitte, were close to Her Majesty and have been royal family stalwarts for decades.

Richard became a duke by default. His elder brother, William, was set to inherit the title while Richard had embarked on a career in architecture. Then tragedy struck: William died in a flying accident in 1972 and Richard quit his job to become a working royal.

He met his wife at Cambridge University when he was studying architecture and she was a language student. They wed in 1972 and have three children: Alexander, Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Windsor and Lady Rose Gilman.