Prince Charles most likely to cut these members out of the monarchy as King

Prince Charles, is believed to want to reduce the cost of theRoyal Family to the British taxpayer by slimming down the Firm and having fewer working royals when he is King. While senior members of the monarchy including Charles's son Prince William, his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and rising stars Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Prince Edward, are likely to stay on as working royals, there are a plethora of lesser-known members of the Firm who could get the chop.

Slimmed down monarchy

Gyles Brandreth, author of Philip: The Final Portrait previously told the Daily Express:

Going forward we are going to go back to a much slimmed down [monarchy].

He said the late Duke of Edinburgh was also supportive of the move, which would see members outside of the immediate family taking a more background position.

Express.co.uk reveals the most likely working royals to be cut from a slimmed-down monarchy.

The Duke of Kent

Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, is the Queen's first cousin. His father, Prince George, was the Queen's uncle. The Duke of Kent is a second cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh via his mother, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. Prince Edward is 39th in line to the throne but still carries out royal duties on behalf of the crown including more than 60 overseas tours.

Princess Alexandra

Princess Alexandra, also known as The Honourable Lady Ogilvy is The Queen’s cousin. She is royal patron or president of more than 100 organisations which reflect her wide-ranging interests, from the arts to health care. She also supports The Queen in her duties as Head of State, attending ceremonial occasions alongside other members of the Firm.

Princess Alexandra was born to Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. Her mother was a first cousin of the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, she was also his first cousin once removed.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is a paternal first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is the second son of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, and the youngest of the nine grandchildren of King George V and Queen Mary.

He was fifth in the line to the British throne at birth but has since moved down to 30th. His wife Birgitte van Deurs, became the Duchess of Gloucester upon their marriage in July 1972 and they have three children together.