Prince William could be following in King Charles’s footsteps with plans for a slimmed down monarchy, with one expert fearing the heir may take this “several steps too far”.

The question of how many working royals there should be has faced extra scrutiny in 2024, with King Charles and Princess Kate spending significant periods of time off due to ill health and Princes Harry and Andrew out of the picture.

Now Princess Anne’s recent injury, which left her with concussion, has also put her out of action for the week, and even though riding incidents are common in the Royal Family royal author Christopher Andersen pointed out that the King cannot afford to lose any more help.

He told the Daily Beast: “As the senior royals get older, there will inevitably be more health challenges. But it does seem odd that we’re witnessing one medical problem after another being heaped on the new sovereign in rapid succession.

“One gets the sense that the Royal Family is on the ropes. I think we were all spoiled somewhat by the late Queen Mother, by Queen Elizabeth II, and by Prince Philip, all three of whom avoided serious illness well into their nineties.”

Speaking of William’s potential future plans, Mr Andersen noted the Charles may worry that “once he is no longer in the picture, a King William V will take his plans for modernisation several steps too far”.

Royal writer Lady Colin Campbell agreed, explaining: “I have been saying for the last 30 years, ever since Charles came up with the notion of treating Britain as if it’s Denmark, that it was a crazy idea. And now we have three royals out of action—and Anne is the busiest of them all.

“Of course, an accident like this is unforeseeable but hopefully it will make Charles realize they really need to rope in Beatrice and Eugenie, and get Edward and Sophie’s children, Louise and James, to come forward.”

She added: “Unfortunately, William seems to be taking the same view as Charles, that they should keep the numbers of working royals small.”

The King’s nieces Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Lady Louise, and his nephew James, Earl of Wessex, are not working royals, with Louise and James still in full-time education.

However some have suggested that the York sisters would be the perfect choice to step up and carry out more royal duties, having already supported William during a royal garden party in May.