Reflecting on 2024 and looking forward to 2025: a year of change for the Royal Family

King Charles III celebrates 76th birthday CTV News royal commentator Afua Hagan discusses King Charles III turning 76 after a tumultuous year.

There was no shortage of drama for the British Royal Family in 2024. From illness to controvery over a doctored photo and brothers at war (and I’m not even talking about William and Harry), this pivotal year altered the map of the monarchy's future and tested its strength like no other time in history.

The first three months of the year were dominated by royal health shocks.

In January, and on the same day no less, we learned that King Charles III and the Princess of Wales were hospitalized and having surgery.

February 2024 brought news of King Charles' cancer diagnosis. Doctors found it during his treatment for an enlarged prostate. Buckingham Palace kept details about the cancer type private but confirmed the King would handle state business while stepping back from public duties. His openness about the diagnosis showed a new way of doing things and helped raise awareness about cancer detection and treatment.

The Princess of Wales started her health journey in January with a planned abdominal surgery. Although initially details on her condition were vague, things changed in March when she told the world through a heartfelt video message that cancerous cells were found during that surgery. This was after months of speculation about her whereabouts, where theories about the state of her health and her marriage spread from the murky corners of TikTok, to Saturday night TV chat shows in America.

However, this video took back control of the narrative (to some extent) as the Princess of Wales talked about her preventative chemotherapy and asked for privacy while her family adjusted. People felt connected to her story, especially when she mentioned needing time to explain things to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

These health challenges brought big changes to royal operations. In a move many people would have never anticipated just 20 years ago, Queen Camilla became the main face of the monarchy.

Prince William, after taking some time off to support his wife and children, managed to keep up with more royal duties. Fewer working royals meant duties swiftly needed reorganizing. The monarchy managed to keep up with constitutional duties while putting health first. They showed strength and a modern way of talking about royal health issues.

Communications makeover

The Royal Family has undergone an amazing digital makeover in their public communication this year. The furor that surrounded the digitally-altered family picture released on Mother’s Day was a digital fail and one that forced them to embrace greater transparency and accountability.

Health challenges and modern technology combined have pushed the monarchy to adopt digital platforms. This has brought a fundamental change to how they connect with people. Traditional posed photographs have given way to more authentic, relatable content.

The Prince and Princess of Wales led this change, most notably with their intimate portrait in video form that they released when the Princess of Wales announced that her preventative chemotherapy had finished and she was on the road to healing. This very slick, well-produced film by videographer Will Warr featured the Waleses as we’ve never seen them before – set against the backdrop of their beloved Norfolk, with granny and grandpa Middleton thrown in for good measure.

Royal communication has seen remarkable changes this year. The monarchy now takes a more direct and open approach, especially when making health announcements. Professional press secretaries and publicity agents led their digital communications team, which has revolutionized how royal news reaches people. With two-thirds of U.K. adults getting their news from social media, the Royal Family must adapt while keeping their dignity and traditions intact.

Royal with a 'smaller r'

Major changes in succession planning have also emerged this year. The way the institution prepares its next generations for leadership has changed remarkably.

Prince William has adopted a new approach to royal duties. He describes it as carrying out responsibilities with a “smaller r in the royal.” His priorities now focus on impact philanthropy and collaboration, marking a departure from traditional royal involvement methods.

During his South Africa tour, he said, “I'm trying to do it differently... for my generation.” His approach highlights empathetic leadership and real social change through his Earthshot Prize and Homewards initiatives.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are using a rather different strategy to prepare young Prince George for his future role. Palace sources call this a “slow preparation” approach and confirm their priority makes sure royal duties “are not scary” for George. They want these duties to become a natural part of his life. George won't take on official duties until his twenties. He attends major royal events to understand his future role gradually.

Royal popularity ratings show remarkable resilience despite recent challenges. According to a YouGov poll conducted in August 2024, The Prince and Princess of Wales remain the most favoured royals, with 74-75% of Britons questioned having a favourable view of the couple. King Charles maintains a steady 63% favourability rating, and Princess Anne commands strong public support at 71%.

However, British history faces a defining moment. Recent polls reveal that young Britons' support for the monarchy has dropped to 47% -- a dramatic change from its overwhelming popularity just a decade ago. The monarchy's overall support stands at 62% now, the lowest in recent history. This marks a substantial drop from 76% support in 2012. Prince Andrew’s popularity it at an all-time low of 5% -- the lowest YouGov has ever recorded.

This year, the narrative around Prince Andrew has been the so-called siege of Royal Lodge, where he is refusing to leave the 30-room mansion he lives in with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. King Charles has withdrawn his security in an effort to get him to downsize. The feud between the two brothers has overshadowed the family, at a time when many feel Prince Andrew should be lying low. The Royal Family's popularity raises questions about its relevance, sustainability, and knowing how to adapt more than ever before.

Unprecedented challenges

The year 2025, and beyond, presents the monarchy with unprecedented challenges. The institution's future depends on its ability to change while keeping its core values intact. Public expectations of the monarchy have undergone a fundamental change. The biggest problem lies with younger demographics who just need more transparency and relevance.

The old approach of staying visible yet distant doesn't work anymore in today's world, where authenticity and accessibility matter most. The issue of the vast wealth of King Charles III and Prince William has also come under scrutiny. A Channel 4 documentary, “The Prince and Their Secret Millions,” uncovered new information about the monarchs’ revenue streams through their historic Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall.

This fresh insight prompted the public to ask questions about how transparent the royal purse really is.

There is also a growing Republican movement, with Republic, the group that spearheads this, campaigning for the monarchy to be abolished and the King to be replaced with a democratically-elected Head of State. A poll conducted in August 2024 by Statista showed 25% of those asked were in favour of the King being replaced by an elected Head of State.

The monarchy now stands at a turning point that tests how well it can adapt and stay strong. They face several important challenges: young people's falling support, health issues affecting senior royals, and fewer working members putting pressure on how much they can do.

These issues and the just need to modernize mean things must change. But there's room for optimism. Smart reforms that bring in younger royals and update the constitution are a great way to move forward.

King Charles III's leadership on environmental issues shows how the monarchy can stay meaningful while supporting significant causes. Better use of digital tools and finding ways to involve younger people could help fix the gap between generations. The key to success lies in getting the balance right.

The monarchy needs to keep its time-honoured traditions while making the changes it needs. Let’s see how this centuries-old institution can adapt smartly and staying true to what makes it special.