Should the Royal Family be modernised? We ask the people of Birmingham

The Duke of Cambridge reportedly plans to use only half the staff his father the Prince of Wales has, and wants to end the longstanding royal tradition of “never complain, never explain”.

William is said to have had a meeting with aides following backlash from his and the Duchess of Cambridge’s Caribbean tour.

Ending their trip to Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas at the weekend, the future king acknowledged the monarchy’s days in those nations may be numbered as he stated the future “is for the people to decide upon”.

In a statement reflecting on the tour, William also emphasised who the Commonwealth chooses to be its leader “isn’t what is on my mind”, but what concerned him was its potential to “create a better future for the people who form it”.

A number of newspaper reports on Monday carried comments from sources suggesting William had been doing a lot of thinking about how long-held protocols can be modernised when he ascends the throne.

Is this something that the people of Birmingham agree with? BirminghamWorld visited the city centre to find out. You can see all the comments we received at the top of our story. Or read a selection below. Please let us know what you think too.

Will says: “I think the royal family going forward, they really need to sort of think of a way of modernising and maybe shrinking with the times. Because especially at hard times ahead of the cost of living - it kind of, I think it rubs badly with the public when you see like lavish spending and going to the countries.

“And obviously the British Empire, I mean, whether there was some good things and some bad things, I think, it’s time to move on. We’re a modern country, and I don’t know, flouting that wealth in different Caribbean islands that we controlled 100 years ago. Feels a little bit wrong.”

Luca says: “Yeah, I’m similar to Will to be honest, I do think it’s time the royal family needs to modernise. I think they’ve been outdated for quite a bit now. And I feel like with modernising, maybe it will regenerate some interest for people our age.”

Mark says: “I think they’ve got a difficult task. If I’m being honest. You’re never going to please everybody. But I do think they are listening. In his recent statements, I think they have taken that on board. What people are thinking. It’s not going to be an overnight transition. But you can see that the steps are being made.”

Martin says: “I think they have modernised themselves. I think they have moved with the times. So I think you’ve seen that with Harry breaking away and making his own way. It’s quite funny.

“They said they want to live a more private life and they’re more in the press than they’ve ever been. They seem to encourage that because there’s financial benefits.

“But you know, colonialism. You know, I respect the situation with slavery, I come from an Irish background. I mean, we were taking slaves from Ireland 100 years before slavery was involve. Slavery happened all around the world. It didn’t just happen on the African continent.”

Jenny says: “I think they’re doing a wonderful job. And I think Prince William and Kate are absolutely fabulous. And also, who taught them about history? Shouldn’t it be down to whichever school they went to? But look at the Queen, she’s 95, she’s very up to date! Full stop.”

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