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The excerpt you provided is from a BBC News article discussing the efforts by Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, to modernize the British monarchy and how their approach is being perceived by the public and experts.
### Key points from the article snippet:
– **Prince William and Catherine’s approach**: They are striking a modern tone in their royal duties which resonates well with the public. Approval ratings stand high at 76% for William and 73% for Catherine, the highest among royal family members according to a recent YouGov poll.
– **Views of Rory Sutherland, advertising executive**: He approves of their approach, noting that William walks a narrow line “between modernity and kind of absurdity” very well, contrasting with less successful, more “crude” earlier attempts at modernization such as the 1987 charity event involving Prince Edward, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew.
– **Calls for transparency and accountability**: Professor Whitelock expresses that while making senior royals more accessible is a positive step, real modernization needs greater transparency and accountability from the monarchy.
– **Issues around tax and politics**: The article highlights that the monarch is not legally required to pay income or capital gains tax but chooses to do so voluntarily. Prince William follows this practice, but unlike King Charles, he does not publish his tax returns. There is also mention of the monarch’s right to be consulted on legislation related to the Crown, which some see as a potential source of influence.
– **Royal lifestyle concerns amid economic issues**: While the royal residences are not a public concern, lifestyle choices like ski holidays may be perceived poorly during economic hardships such as the cost-of-living crisis. Despite economic benefits from tourism linked to the royal family, the justification for monarchy should not rest solely on economics.
– **Potential directions for change**: Prince William himself has acknowledged the need for change—not radical but necessary—and questions traditions regarding their continued relevance. There is discussion about moving the British monarchy towards a more informal style, similar to European royal families like those in Scandinavia or the Netherlands, though this comes with risks as some supporters value traditional pomp and ceremony.
### Summary
Prince William and Catherine are committed to modernizing the monarchy in a way that maintains public favor by balancing tradition with accessibility and modern values. Still, experts like Prof Whitelock suggest reforms around transparency and the monarchy’s constitutional roles are needed for more profound change. Discussions about tax contributions, public perception of royal lifestyles, and how much tradition should be preserved continue to shape the debate on the monarchy’s future in the UK.
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