KING WARNED OVER MONARCHY'S FUTURE

As he turns 75, King Charles is advised to follow the Spanish royal family's example by putting his faith in the younger generation

This week King Charles celebrates his milestone 75th birthday, surrounded by loved ones. But as he tucks into his birthday cake – most likely fruit rather than chocolate, apparently – words of warning from a fellow royal could leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

Speaking exclusively to OK!, Princess Tamara Czartoryska, who is a cousin of the Spanish royals, says that if he wishes to win over the public, our king should take note of how her family have successfully reversed their dwindling popularity in recent years.

“Just look at the way Spain has embraced [King] Felipe and his family, especially Leonor, who will one day be Queen. The British royal family should really take note,” says Princess Tamara. “Lessons can be learnt from focusing on the younger members of the family. It’s new blood and they cater to a younger audience.”

Following a spate of scandals, King Juan Carlos abdicated the Spanish throne in 2014, making way for his son Felipe. Public confidence in the Spanish ruling family had been at an all-time low, but King Felipe, his wife Queen Letizia and their children, Princess Leonor, 18, and Infanta Sofia, 16, have led a royal renaissance.

“The younger generation is our future, and it is in them we should invest,” says Princess Tamara. “Society loves tradition, but it’s important in this day and age of influencers to have an influencer who is on the same level to be a good role model.”

And she claims there is a similar pattern emerging in the UK, with a king who doesn’t appreciate the power of younger royals.

“There’s huge interest in William and Kate,” she says.