Meghan and Harry 'need to keep royal branding' to remain relevant

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The Princess Royal is expected to travel to Inverness, Scotland today. In her role as Royal Patron of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Anne will visit Highland Wildlife Park, where a new discovery centre is set to be built. The centre will give visitors the opportunity to find out about Scotland’s wildlife heritage and how they can help with conservation projects.

Anne has been patron of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland for 13 years. 

Today’s outing is one of many in the princess’ busy schedule as the “hardest working royal”. 

Despite carrying out the most public engagements last year, Anne is seen less in the press than her younger counterparts, for instance, Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.

According to royal expert Howard Hodgson, the Princess Royal is set to be seen increasingly less when her older brother, Prince Charles, ascends the throne.

Mr Hodgson, who wrote ‘Charles – The Man Who Will Be King’, told Express.co.uk that in his bid for “better PR” for the Royal Family, the Prince of Wales will put more focus on royals in the direct line of succession, meaning that Anne will be “seen less”. 

He said: “I think Anne will play — unfortunately — an increasingly less role because her brother has decided that the monarchy must look very slim and go straight down the direct line. 

“It’s Prince Charles’ slimmed down monarchy and it’s striving for better PR for the family.”

Since the Queen took a step back from royal duties, due to concerns about her health and mobility, there has been a lot of heightened attention surrounding Charles’ accession to the throne. 

Charles and Camilla’s responsibilities within the Firm have ramped up, with the prince often standing in for his mother during public engagements. 

Similarly, William and Kate have taken on more involved roles, as the Duke of Cambridge is expected to take on his father’s duties as Prince of Wales. 

While Charles has not revealed his plans for his reign, it has long been said that the heir desires a slimmed down monarchy. 

This has accelerated in recent years following the shock exit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, stepping down of Prince Andrew and death of Prince Philip. 

Currently the working members of the Royal Family include: the Queen, Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, Anne and Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex. 

While Anne, Edward and Sophie are expected to retain their status as working royals, Mr Hodgson believes that more focus will be directed at the direct line of succession.

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He told Express.co.uk: “Anne, Edward and Sophie are slightly off the centre line of the Royal Family — the line of descent — so they probably receive less publicity for that reason, and also because they’re older and perhaps do not attract media frenzy in the way that Diana, Kate or Meghan did/do.

“So we will see more happening with Charles and Camilla, William and Kate and then George, Charlotte and Louis. That will be the core element of the Royal Family.”

He added: “But, of course, the Cambridge children are too young to fulfil any royal duties, so Anne, Sophie and Edward will continue in their roles — just with less public attention.”

In a rare collaboration, Anne and Kate recently joined forces to learn about how maternal health care is being improved. 

Last week, they visited the headquarters of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). 

The occasion marked their first-ever engagement as a duo as the pair have only ever carried out public engagements together as part of a larger family group. 

Pauline Maclaren, co-author of ‘Royal Fever: The British Monarchy in Consumer Culture’ claimed the unusual pairing was a way of “modernising the royal brand” ahead of Charles’ kingship. 

Ms Maclaren told Express.co.uk recently: “It foregrounds once again, the crucial role that the young royals will play when Prince Charles becomes king. 

“They are particularly important at this time when we see more of a transition taking place because they are the bright future of the monarchy and the most appealing aspects of the royal brand.”

She added: “We have heard that Kate is going to be given more single duties to perform and who better to learn from than her aunt who has frequently been praised for her dedicated service.

“Kate will therefore benefit from Anne’s expertise and Anne’s work will gain a higher profile with Kate by her side.”

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