User:Hemlock Martinis/Way Ahead Group

The Way Ahead Group is a committee composed of senior members of the British Royal Family and high-ranking courtiers, chaired by Queen Elizabeth II. As suggested by its name, the committee's purpose is to discuss and plan for the future of the British monarchy.

Purpose
First convened in 1992 by then-Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Airlie, the Way Ahead Group formed in the aftermath a series of royal scandals and misfortunes during what Elizabeth II described as her annus horibilis. After the first meeting, the committee agreed on significant reforms: taxes would be paid for the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall,

The Way Ahead Group meets twice a year and minutes are not kept. In general, the committee future changes to the monarchy. key topics such as primogeniture and succession issues.

The committee conducted a secret poll in 2001 about public perception of the monarchy and the Royal Family prior to Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. In 2006, the committee discussed an increased workload for Prince Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall.

"working on a series of reforms"

The coroner of the inquest of Diana, Princess of Wales' death made inquiries about relevant meetings of the Way Ahead Group in the wake of Diana's death.

Membership
Membership of the Way Ahead Group is not made public by the Royal Family; nevertheless, media reports have identified the following as the original members of the committee:
 * HM Queen Elizabeth II, the Sovereign.
 * HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Sovereign's consort.
 * HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, the Heir Apparent.
 * HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, second son of the Sovereign and fourth-in-line to the throne.
 * HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, third son of the Sovereign and seventh-in-line to the throne.
 * HRH Anne, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of the Sovereign and tenth-in-line to the throne.
 * Former Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Airlie (note about uncertainty about current membership vis-a-vis Chamberlain position)

Within recent years, the Prince of Wales' sons HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and HRH Prince Harry of Wales, the second and third-in-line to the throne respectively, have taken part in the committee's meetings.