my concern is that I’m basically investing in everything twice and in some cases 3 times and that I could simplify my portfolio by going heavier on VWRL and cutting down or even getting rid of some of the others.
I’d say you basically have 2 options to remove the overlaps:
Simple - Go heavier on VWRL and reduce the geographic tilts (USA, EM, UK, JPN)
Cheap - Reduce VWRL and try and get equivalent exposure using smaller geography ETFs (although you are currently missing a few areas)
The simplest way to do the later would be VEVE+VFEM (Dev + EM), or you could do EM + N America + Europe + Asia ex + JPN or whatever other way you want to split it up.
I think it depends on the portfolio size, I think a smaller portfolio should just focus on 1 or 2 funds because there are no fractional shares on ETFs. So you might not be able to add in the same proportions, unless adding +£1000 every time.
I’d say you could go 80-90% VWRL and then rest bonds. VWRL already has 6.5% Japan and 4% China, 4% UK and EMs.
In my case I don’t have VWRL at all, so I there is no overlap. VUSA, ISF (VUKE), VMID, EMIM (VFEM), EQQQ (Nasdaq, some overlap here, not needed but I love this ETF) and Bonds.