ne day Prince William will become king and he’s already teased that he’ll bring some “change” to the monarchy during his reign.

The monarchy holds years and years of tradition, pageantry and rules. But when he’s monarch, it seems the Prince of Wales, 43, will make some changes as he sees fit.

Prince William has already discussed the changes he’ll make when he’s king during his appearance on Eugene Levy’s The Reluctant Traveler.

But what change could we see when William takes the throne after his father, King Charles?

The Prince of Wales could bring change when he’s king (Credit: Cover Images)

When will Prince William become king?

Prince William will become king immediately upon the death or abdication of his father, King Charles.

Charles became monarch on September 8, 2022, upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Think shorter ceremonies with less velvet and plumes.

When William does become king one day, his son, Prince George, will immediately become his heir.

Many royal commentators are predicting that Prince William’s monarchy will be much more modern. The Prince of Wales has even teased this himself.

‘Change is on my agenda’

During his appearance on The Reluctant Traveler last year, William told Eugene: “I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good, and I embrace that and I enjoy that change. I don’t fear it. Not overly radical change, but changes that I think need to happen.”

However, William believes it’s “important” that royal tradition stays. He added: “I think it’s very important that tradition stays, and tradition has a huge part in all of this but there’s also points where you look at tradition and go, is that still fit for purpose today? Is that still the right thing to do? Are we still doing and having the most impact we could be having?”
Princess Catherine and Prince William are the future of the monarchy (Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images)

The changes William could make

Now, the Daily Mail‘s Royal Editor Rebecca English has shared her thoughts after speaking to friends and William himself over the years.

She said: “I would definitely expect a pruning back of the pomp and ceremony we see now. Not an abandonment of it, but a simplification of what he sees as the more ‘archaic’ aspects – think shorter ceremonies with less velvet and plumes.

“I’ve also been told he wants to streamline the royal household and change the way things like Royal Warrants are awarded. He’ll constantly ask: just because things have always been done this way, are they really fit for purpose in the modern age?”

She added: “I think there is also a good chance he will undertake fewer public engagements, with less ‘performative’ ribbon cutting-style events and a greater focus on in-depth engagements.”
Trooping the Colour is a staple in the royal calendar each year (Credit: Cover Images)

Future of Trooping the Colour ‘revealed’

Meanwhile, a source reportedly told English recently that Prince William and his wife, Princess Catherine, are “traditionalists” so some staples in the royal calendar will remain.

One is Trooping the Colour, which has marked the official birthday of the monarch for over 260 years. It usually takes place in June each year.

The insider added: “The idea that there will be no Trooping the Colour or Coronation is never going to be the case. They see the power of what the institution does.

“Will he question the way things are done and potentially look at doing things differently, in a more modern way? Yes, in the same way he has done with the Duchy [of Cornwall, where he has turned housing over to the homeless, for example].”