Princess Anne has said slimming down the British monarchy is not a good idea in an interview with Canadian public broadcaster CBC ahead of her brother's coronation this weekend.
Her remarks are set to anger anti-monarchists and critics who have targeted the royal family after a major British newspaper revealed that the royal family has been hiding its wealth from public scrutiny.
The Guardian newspaper is making some startling revelations under the "cost of the crown" series.
King Charles III's only sister, who is often referred to as the hardest-working royal and who undertook 214 public engagements last year, explained that the family is already stretched thin.
"I think the 'slimmed down' (idea) was said in a day when there were a few more people around. It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I would say. I'm not quite sure what else we can do," the 72-year-old said when asked about proposals floated to modernize the monarchy.
She added that she does not expect any major changes to the functioning of the institution under King Charles.
"Well, you know what you're getting because he's been practicing for a bit, and I don't think he'll change," she said, in the interview broadcast late Monday
"You know, he is committed to his own level of service, and that will remain true."
The royal family, she said, would support Charles in his role as King, as they did their mother Queen Elizabeth II before her death at age 96 in September 2022.
Charles's coronation, which will be attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is scheduled for Saturday.
Several events to mark the beginning of his reign have been scheduled in Canada, including Indigenous music performances, the release of a new stamp and a 21-gun salute fired from Parliament Hill.
Canadians, however, are conflicted, with 54 percent, according to a recent Ipsos poll, believing Canada should end its formal ties to the monarchy.
Eight in ten approved of Queen Elizabeth, but only 56 percent are confident her son Charles will do a good job as king.
Pitching its benefits to Canadians, Princess Anne said: "I would just underline that the monarchy provides with the Constitution a degree of long term stability. This is actually quite hard to come by any other way."
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry face criticism for mum on family health
King Charles' reported reaction to Sussexes' Netflix project exposed by Omid Scobie
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's dream home purchase signals major Hollywood comeback strategy
Kate Middleton has strong reaction to Meghan Markle's name
Prince Harry's startling question to King Charles unveiled
Meghan Markle stuns at Power Of Women Gala amid Archewell Productions' struggles