Now that King Charles III, has ascended to the royal British throne, what new duties can we expect from the newly appointed King?

As the new King Charles III, he has already stated that he will continue in his “loving mum’s” royal strategy of not meddling in political affairs. He was officially sworn in today as Head of State of the United Kingdom, and The Commonwealth.

The official ascension council has taken place.

 

The late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, died at the age of 96, on Thursday, September 8th at her home in Balmoral Castle, Scotland. The Queen was surrounded by Charles, her two other sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and her daughter Princess Anne and grandson, Prince William. Without his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle and their two children – Prince Harry, who many royal watchers say is the Queen’s favourite grandson, flew in alone and was on his way to see his grandmother, when she passed.

 [The British Royal Family]

King Charles also lost his Father, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip of Philip Mountbatten who died in April 2021. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married in 1947. The Queen gave birth to their eldest son, Prince Charles on November 14th, 1948.

From October 1952, Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years – marking the 70-year Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth.

Charles, formerly known as the Prince of Wales – his title meant royalty in waiting. The Queen’s eldest son, who is 73 years old is the longest-serving royalty in history waiting to ascend the throne.  His mother’s reign as the monarch is the longest in Britain’s royal history. Even more so than Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years on the throne, during what was referred to as the Victorian era.

A long-life apprentice, Charles has been preparing for this role his entire life.

Charles’s marriage to Diana

Charles was married to Lady Diana Spencer on July 29th, 1981 and later obtained the titles, the Prince and Princess of Wales. At the time, it was said to be the most watched wedding ceremony around the world, in history. Prince Charles and Princess Diana would welcome the birth of their sons, two male heirs – Prince William on June 21, 1982, and Prince Harry on September 15th, 1984

Princess Diana was affectionally known as “the People’s Princess” and was extremely loved by Londoners and millions of people around the world. Sadly, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in Paris France on August 31st, 1997 at the young age of 36. Charles’ popularity would take a bit of a tumble because the two had divorced one year earlier on August 28th, 1996.

Later, Charles focused on raising his two sons, his continued love for his charities, and his marriage in 2005 to Camilla Parker Bowles. Bowles took on the title of Duchess of Cornwall, now becomes the Queen Consort. Over time Charles’ popularity would increase. Many royal watchers, anticipated this day of Charles’ ascension to the throne.

So what can we expect from King Charles III?

Many royal watchers and some close to the family, say King Charles will be a different monarch of course because times are much different from when his mother ascended the throne in 1952 after her father, King George VI died. The Queen had taken on her royal duties coming off the heel of World War II.

Commonwealth countries, particularly across the Caribbean have been raising questions for years on the role of the monarch in these modern times as Head of State – is it still warranted? Most recently, Jamaica, Belize and Barbados. This is a continuous discussion that King Charles will most likely have to address in the near future.

Charles did mention during his first ceremonial speech as King yesterday, that he will be stepping back from heading up his charitable causes and passions such as climate change and ecological concerns.

Matters of the heart which are near and dear to him will now be spearheaded by others. He will, however, continue to show his support for social and environmental issues.

As he was referred to in 2018, Prince Charles spoke of his upcoming role as King, and how he would perceive political affairs. Charles blatantly said in the past, as the future King, that when that time comes “he would not meddle in politics as a sovereign and he will continue in his mother’s footsteps.

King Charles addressed England and the world in a televised state of address, speaking lovingly about his mother and her unwavering service of over 70 years.

He spoke about his mother’s inspiring him to continue, the royal duty of serving his country. Mourning his mother’s passing, Charles assured the people of the United Kingdom that during this moment of  “profound sorrow'” his focus and duty is to continue to serve with ‘unswerving devotion” as his mother did for over 70 years.

The King of England also announced the new royal succession. Prince William and his wife Catherine will be addressed as the new Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William is now first in line to the throne. His son, Prince George of Cambridge is now second in line.