Inside 'pathetic' new strategy to make William and Kate less 'elitist': Less polo, no more champagne at Ascot... and why I fear Harry could take advantage: Royal sources reveal plans to RICHARD EDEN

There is nothing the Palace fears more than the E-word: elitist. And according to reports, that is exactly the image aides are now desperate to soften around the Prince and Princess of Wales, with a fresh strategy said to focus on stripping away some of the flashiest aristocratic signals that have long clung to royal life.

Insiders claim the thinking is simple. Less polo. Less obvious upper-crust pageantry. Fewer moments that scream privilege at a time when households across Britain are watching every penny. And, in the sort of detail that instantly sets royal watchers talking, there is said to be sensitivity around the optics of champagne-soaked scenes at Ascot too.

It is a striking shift, not least because William and Kate have often been seen as the monarchy’s safest bet: glamorous but disciplined, traditional yet relatable. Even so, reports suggest there is growing awareness behind the scenes that the couple can look a touch too polished, too country-house, too perfectly turned out for an age that prizes authenticity over inherited grandeur.

That does not mean they are about to become anti-royal royals. Far from it. The crown still trades on mystique, ceremony and spectacle. But those close to the institution are said to believe there is a line between splendour and social distance, and that line may need redrawing if the Waleses are to remain firmly connected to a younger, broader Britain.

Horse racing is a perfect example of the problem. It has deep royal roots and irresistible visual glamour, but it can also look like a members-only world of fascinators, hospitality tents and old-money codes. Queen Elizabeth adored it, of course, and followed bloodlines and form with a passion that surprised many who underestimated just how knowledgeable she was. Prince Philip, by contrast, was said to find it rather dull; though he accompanied the late Queen to race meetings, he was reportedly just as happy watching the cricket on television instead.

That contrast says a great deal about royal survival. Even the most traditional family in Britain has always had to balance duty with personality, public image with private preference. The latest reports suggest William and Kate are trying to do the same, shaping an approach that looks less like a stately tableau and more like a modern family aware of the national mood.

Yet there is an obvious risk. If they pull too far back from the classic royal pursuits, some loyalists may wonder what exactly is left of the old magic. Polo fields, racecourses and country rituals may not be universally loved, but they have long formed part of the texture of royal Britain. Remove too much, and the monarchy could start to look oddly cautious, even uncertain of itself.

And then there is Harry. Because if William and Kate are indeed trying to appear less rarefied, fans believe the Duke of Sussex could seize on any wobble in the branding war. He has built much of his post-royal identity around attacking hierarchy, privilege and image management. If the Waleses are seen to be awkwardly sanding off their poshest edges, critics may ask whether Harry’s complaints have forced the institution into a defensive crouch.

That would be deeply uncomfortable for the Palace, which would hate to give even the faint impression that it is reacting to Montecito rather than leading from Windsor. Still, royal history shows that perception matters as much as reality. A changed guest list here, a lower-key outing there, a little less fizz in public view, and suddenly a whole new narrative takes hold.

For now, these remain reports and whispers rather than a formal blueprint. But they fit a broader pattern: a monarchy trying to stay majestic without seeming remote, privileged without appearing pampered, grand without drifting into parody.

The real question is whether the public actually wants William and Kate to be less elitist, or whether a certain amount of royal glitter is precisely the point. Should the Waleses ditch the polo-and-champagne image, or would that only make the monarchy feel less special?