King Charles III ( Archived) (10)

LONDON — It was during his first address as king — the speech he’d waited his whole life to make — that Charles III acknowledged he will have to give up some of the things that have given him the most satisfaction.

“My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities,” he said, a little more than 24 hours after his mother died at Balmoral Castle, bringing to an end the reign of the only monarch most Britons can remember. “It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply.”

The entire speech was designed to reassure a country in mourning for Queen Elizabeth II that her successor would not depart from the style of steady, even-handed leadership she had embodied. But it was this line that stood out as an acknowledgment of how difficult that could turn out to be.

Unlike the queen, who was famous for not letting her views be known — much less drive the public debate — Charles has spent a lifetime immersing himself in sometimes controversial political or social causes.



The queen was steadfastly silent on political matters throughout her reign and the content of her weekly audience with the prime minister remains private by convention. As a consequence, even the hint of a publicly expressed opinion had the potential to cause a huge fuss, as occurred in 2014 when she urged Scottish voters to “think very carefully” about their choice in that year’s independence referendum.

Charles’ habits stand in marked contrast to his mother’s. The causes he was involved in as prince don’t fit neatly into traditional categories of left or right. He has stood in support of fox hunting and in opposition to “ugly” modern architecture, but he has also championed organic farming and advocated for action on climate change well before the subject was embraced by the mainstream.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the newly anointed monarch will be whether he will truly be able to leave the passions of his previous life behind.

Even if Charles is able to bury his convictions under symbols and ceremony, the rest of the country is unlikely to ignore the very public record — of opinions and controversy, activism and obstinacy — that will inevitably follow him as he seeks to carry out his daily duties.
‘Rather dotty’

Far from being a firebrand, Charles has forayed into activism with the same, bumbling awkwardness he brings to the rest of his public demeanor, often downplaying his efforts as aristocratic hobbyhorsing.

But that hasn’t stopped his efforts from being pilloried in the press or blowing up in the faces of various governments of the day.

In his own reflections, there has often been a hint of feeling that he’s not doing enough. In 2005, he was asked by a television interviewer if he felt he was making a difference. “I don’t know,” he said. “I try. I only hope that when I’m dead and gone, they might appreciate it a little bit more. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes that happens.”
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the newly anointed monarch.

GOD SAVE THE KING.

We could have done with a good king round about now. Is it too soon to install William to the throne? It's better to get the dirty work over with quickly when Britain is already humiliated in the eyes of the world.

Tht should read, humiliated again.

I think you have some of the Edwards mixed up!
Nothing wrong with Edward VII,but plenty wrong with Edward VIII,later known as Duke of Windsor,and Royal Governor of The Bahamas!Certain Stories about him and his dealings are still making the Rounds in the Islands!

Charles is okay but just does not strike me as dynamic, bold, knowledgeable and confident as the Princess Royal. She is near the top of my list of people I truly admire in modern times.

Great lady!!![/quote


You mean the Kings a Queen