Princess Anne appeared to make a reference to Prince Harry and Meghan as she discussed the prospect of slimming down the monarchy in a new shock interview before King Charles' coronation, the Mirror reports.
The Princess Royal said it does not sound like a good idea - adding that the suggestion was made when there were "a few more people around", during the interview with Canadian public broadcaster CBC.
It is believed that a "few more people" could be a reference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who decided to quit as working royals, as well as Prince Andrew, who stepped down from public life, and the deaths of the late Queen and Prince Philip.
King Charles himself is known to be in favour of a slimmed-down monarchy, focusing on those at the top of the line of succession.
CBC chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault said it is difficult to imagine how the 72-year-old princess would have the time to take on more work.
Anne replied: "Well, I think the 'slimmed-down' (monarchy) was said in a day when there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment."
When it was put to her that the world changes, Anne said: "It changes a bit. I mean, it doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I have to say. I'm not quite sure what else, you know, we can do."
The Princess was asked how the royal family deals with recent polling which suggested a drop in the percentage of people who want to see the monarchy continue and if there are conversations about relevance.
She replied: "There will be, everywhere. It's not a conversation that I would necessarily have.
"I think it's perfectly true that it is a moment where you need to have that discussion.
"But I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite hard to come by any other way."
"Well, we don't in many respects need to deal with it, not least of all because it is the monarch that is the key to this, and the constitution that underpins the monarchy," she said.
"We as a family see ourselves there to support that role. What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy and the way in which it can convey continuity, of not just interest, but of service, of understanding, the way that people in communities want to live their lives.
"And I think so often we get the chance to see communities and the people who do things really well and are very generous with their time in a way that, if you look at the media, you tend not to get that impression," she said.
Speaking about what kind of King her brother will be, Anne said: "Well, you know what you're getting, because he's been practising for a bit, and I don't think he'll change.
"He is committed to his own level of service. That will remain true."
It was put to the princess that she does not seem worried about the health or the longevity of the monarchy, and she replied: "I think you're putting words into my mouth, as they say."
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