EXCLUSIVE: Prince William 'Facing Warnings From Men in Grey Suits' About His 'Revolutionary' Plans for Monarch When He Takes Throne
Palace insiders have been warning Prince William over his bold plans to reform the monarchy.
Oct. 9 2025, Published 3:02 p.m. ET
Prince William has been warned by senior royal aides – the so-called 'Men in Grey Suits' once feared by his late mother, Princess Diana – his bold vision for a modern monarchy could risk undermining centuries of royal tradition.
As RadarOnline.com has revealed, the 43-year-old Prince of Wales is said to be planning a dramatic reshaping of the monarchy when he eventually becomes king, prioritizing his young family and a less formal royal lifestyle.
But insiders say his approach has raised alarm among palace advisers, who caution that his "revolutionary" instincts must be balanced against his duty to the Crown.
Warnings From the 'Men in Grey Suits'
William planned to make Forest Lodge his permanent Windsor home.
A source said William "needs to be careful" not to weaken the monarchy's public bond by scaling back too far. "The monarch's role demands that duty always comes first," they added.
"It isn't about personal preference – it's about responsibility, branding and presentation. Being monarch is a lifelong commitment, and it's an exhausting one."
The warnings come after it was revealed William and his wife, Princess Kate, 43, plan to make Forest Lodge – an eight-bedroom, $21million estate in Windsor Great Park – which they are calling their "forever home."
They are said to be intent on living there even after William becomes king.
The couple reportedly intend to use Buckingham Palace only as an official workspace, a move that would make William the first monarch in modern history not to reside in a royal palace.
Unease Inside the Palace
Prince William faced warnings from senior royal aides over his modern plans.
A palace insider said: "There's real unease among the old guard. The Men in Grey Suits – the advisers who've served multiple reigns – think William is moving too fast, too freely. They understand his wish to be a hands-on father, but they fear he could forget that the monarchy's strength lies in its visibility and ritual."
"Princess Diana used to speak about her fear of these same courtiers – she called them the Men in Grey Suits – and now they're the ones quietly reminding her son that modernizing the monarchy has limits."
A Leaner, Riskier Future
Courtiers said King Charles preferred tradition while William pushed for change.
The prince's plan to "slim down" the royal family, following in the footsteps of his father, King Charles, 76, has also sparked debate.
Charles has already reduced the number of working royals since taking the throne in 2022.
But sources suggest William's version would go further still, limiting royal duties to only the immediate family.
"William is reshaping things on his own terms," a source said.
"He's convinced that a leaner monarchy is the way forward. But if he pulls back too much, and if the public stops seeing royals out meeting people and doing engagements, that bond begins to weaken. He really needs to tread carefully."
Family First – and a Clash With Tradition
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Insiders said his vision for a 'family-first' monarchy raised alarm.
William's family-first priorities contrast sharply with those of previous monarchs.
"He's deeply focused on his family," a source added.
"Unlike Charles, who doesn't have young children at home, William enjoys doing the school run and spending time in the countryside – his lifestyle is completely different."
That difference, however, has sparked tension behind palace walls.
A royal source said: "William's vision is rooted in normality – he wants his kids George, Charlotte and Louis to grow up grounded. But some of the senior staff see that as a risk. They remember Diana's battles with the Men in Grey Suits, and they see history repeating itself in a new form."
The source added: "But William is pig-headed. He's determined to do things his own way. The establishment – those Men in Grey Suits so feared and hated by Diana – are watching closely.
"They respect his instincts, but they'll never let him forget that the monarchy survives not through change alone, but through community and presenting itself as all-powerful."
