KING Charles faces five huge challenges a year on from his mother’s death, a royal expert has claimed.

Today marks a year since Charles took the reins of the royal family after the Queen’s tragic death following her more than seven decades as monarch.

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This morning Charles, 74, hailed her “devoted service” and express “great affection” for her.

And in an audio tribute, the King said he is “deeply grateful” for the nation’s support to him and Queen Camilla over the past year.

But, royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams believes Charles has major challenges ahead of him as king.

Slimmed down monarchy

His Majesty has long been understood to want a slimmed-down and streamlined monarchy.

However, Mr Fitzwilliams believes this could cause major problems for Charles.

He told The Sun: “King Charles has yet to decide what the concept of a ‘slimline monarchy’ actually means, with patronages being reviewed by the Palace, but with only four working royals under seventy.”

Princess Kate and Prince William, both 41, are some of the most high profile working royals, carrying out dozens of engagements every year.

They are often joined by Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – Sophie and Edward Wessex -who are aged 59 and 58.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, 79 and 77, are among the working Royals, along with the Duke of Kent, who is 87.

Anne, the Princess Royal is also known as one of the hardest working royals in the family, and is aged 73.

Meghan and Harry were among the younger working Royals but gave up their roles when they quit the Firm and moved to the US.

Prince Harry

But the idea of a slimmed down monarchy leads to the question over what Charles should do with Prince Harry.

The duke returned to the UK this week on a flying visit – but is not believed to have seen any of his family members.

The Sun recently reported he hasn’t had any recent contact with his brother or father – and wasn’t invited to Charles’ quiet remembrance service for his mother in Scotland.

And Mr Fitzwilliams explained that Harry had “gone rogue” – meaning he could not be depended on to help with Royal duties.

The expert explained: “The Queen was badly let down by the Sussexes and she would have been saddened by the way they have continued their attacks on the royal family. 

“A YouGov poll this week has confirmed the drop in support the monarchy has suffered among the young, ever since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals and gave that toxic interview on Oprah. 

“The Queen was a pragmatist, she realised the “half in, half out” model they wanted was not feasible. She would, of course, have preferred the family to be united, or at least to keep disagreements private. 

“Whilst she lived they paid lip service to her, after her death, Harry, in his memoir Spare and the interviews he gave to promote it, unwisely launched further attacks on the royal family, including Camilla.”

King Charles has already had to add more Counsellors of State since Harry quit the Royals – with Princess Anne and Prince Edward added to the list in November last year.

The role of Counsellor of State means that if the King is poorly or abroad, one of the Royals is able to stand in.

The Duke of Sussex remains a Counsellor of State but currently lives in the US, meaning any possibility of him standing in is unlikely.

And Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, also retains the position.

Prince Andrew

Andrew — Queen Elizabeth’s “favourite” — appeared to have been sidelined since she died last September — months after he was stripped of his military titles over a sex scandal.

He has been an outcast since paying millions to settle a civil sex assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre.

But in a clear thaw in relations, Charles and William appear to have accepted they have a duty to support him.

The King, 74, put him front and centre after inviting family members — except Harry and Meghan — to the Scottish estate recently.

Yet it’s unlikely that the duke will be stepping into more Royal duties anytime soon.

Mr Fitzwilliams explained: “(Charles) has added more Counsellors of State who can take his place if he is incapacitated or ill, as Andrew, who is permanently in disgrace and Harry, who has gone rogue, obviously could not.”

Slave trade study

And back in April King Charles signalled his support for a study of the royal family’s role in the slave trade in past centuries.

Mr Fitzwilliams believes this could be a sore spot during royal trips abroad.

A spokesperson for the palace said: “This is an issue that His Majesty takes profoundly seriously. As His Majesty told the Commonwealth heads of government reception in Rwanda last year: ‘I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.’

“That process has continued with vigour and determination since His Majesty’s accession. Historic Royal Palaces is a partner in an independent research project, which began in October last year, that is exploring, among other issues, the links between the British monarchy and the transatlantic slave trade during the late 17th and 18th centuries.”

It is understood to be the first time Buckingham Palace has publicly stated that it supports such research into the royal family’s troubling history.

Patronages

Charities have been put into limbo following King Charles’ accession to the throne.

While the Queen was a patron of more than 600 charities, it is unlikely that with the shrinking number of Royals that the sheer number will be able to continue.

It comes as members of the royal family today paid tribute to the Queen across the UK.

Prince Harry was spotted leaving Windsor Castle today alone, while Kate and William attended a service in Wales.

Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla attended a service in Scotland with the late Queen’s niece and nephew, Lady Sarah Chatto and the Earl of Snowdon.

The King had recorded a message and released a favourite photograph of his mother.

Charles, in words written, and audio spoken, at Balmoral Castle and recorded on Thursday, said he recalled with “great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us”.

He said: “I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”

The formal colour photograph chosen by Charles was taken by Cecil Beaton and shows her aged 42 in 1968.

She is standing sideways and smiling in her Garter robes and wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s Tiara, made of 15 interlaced diamond circles.

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