7 Reasons We Don't Need "Working Royals"

The idea that a modern country needs a large team of royals is outdated. Most of what they do is easily handled in republics by elected or appointed officials — and Ireland is a perfect example.

Who are the "working royals"?

1. Charles

2. Camilla

3. William

4. Kate

5. Edward (Duke of Edinburgh)

6. Sophie (Duchess of Edinburgh)

7. Anne (Princess Royal)

8. Richard (Duke of Gloucester)

9. Birgitte (Duchess of Gloucester)

10. Alexandra (The Honourable Lady Olgilvy)

Why don't we need "working" royals?

1. Constitutional duties don’t require many royals

Only the monarch performs the constitutional role.

In Ireland:

-The President performs the head-of-state duties

-The office handles constitutional tasks smoothly with far less staff and expense

A republic shows a head of state doesn’t need an entourage of relatives.

2. Ceremonial work is easily handled by a single head of state

Royal “duties” such as:

-Opening new buildings

-Attending state funerals

-Hosting foreign leaders

are not only non-essential, they’re routine.

In Ireland:

-The President attends key events

-Ministers, mayors, and local dignitaries attend others

-No one expects dozens of presidential relatives to show up

Republics simply distribute ceremonial duties across elected officials.

3. Cost: republics are cheaper and more efficient

A large team of working royals means:

- higher security costs

- multiple official residences

- travel budgets

- staff and advisers

Ireland:

- Has one head of state

- One main residence (Áras an Uachtaráin)

- A clear, transparent budget

The entire presidency costs far less than the British monarchy and is fully accountable to parliament.

Republics avoid the expense of supporting a large royal family.

4. Public representation doesn’t require royals

Monarchies often claim they need many working royals for charity visits.

But republics prove this isn’t true.

Ireland:

-Charities work with local community leaders, not the President

-Politicians and public figures attend openings and events

-Visibility comes from media, social campaigns, and volunteers, not hereditary figures

Republics rely on professionals, communities, and civic leaders — not inherited fame.

5. Republics avoid embarrassing or unclear royal roles

Large royal families create:

-scandals

-blurred responsibilities

-non-elected individuals acting as public representatives

Ireland:

-Only the President has a public representative role

-Their family has no official status and no public duties

- Everything is clean, simple, and democratic

Republics don’t create “roles” for relatives of the head of state.

6. International representation is handled professionally

Royal overseas visits are often presented as economically or diplomatically crucial.

In reality:

Ireland:

-The President makes state visits

-Diplomats and trade envoys handle the real work

-Ministers lead delegations

-Ireland punches far above its weight internationally without any royals at all

Modern diplomacy is done by professionals, not hereditary figures.

7. Other republics manage just fine — so clearly no monarchy needs a big roster

Ireland isn’t unique. France, Germany, Finland, Austria, Portugal, and others have a similar setup.

And they all function perfectly well.

Ireland demonstrates that a modern state can function more smoothly with a single head of state and no royal entourage at all.

Feeling inspired? Email us at contact@greens-for-a-republic.org.uk or the Policy Development Committee at policy@greenparty.org.uk

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