Subtle shift in how people see Charles
irritation was much criticised.
But the past few days have seen a subtle shift, and the new King has been embraced by his bereaved subjects. As he leads the monarchy in a new era, the royals hope to capitalise on the wellspring of sympathy for the House of Windsor.
It is likely the King’s coronation won’t take place until the northern hemisphere spring or early summer next year – June 3 will mark the 70th anniversary of his mother’s ceremony after her father’s death in February 1952. It will be a streamlined event compared with the service for the Queen, reflecting his vision for a smaller, more modern monarchy, and the cost-of-living crisis.
There is also speculation that Charles and Camilla will embark on a tour of some Commonwealth nations – such as New Zealand.
On Tuesday, the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, arrived in Belfast (Operation Shamrock), where people began arriving at Hillsborough Castle before dawn. The couple spent 10 minutes greeting crowds.
The tour started in Edinburgh, where the late Queen’s body rested in St Giles’ Cathedral overnight. An estimated 26,000 people queued to pay their last respects in person – and many more watched as the King accompanied his mother’s hearse up the Royal Mile.
Gillian Black, 69, waited in line to pay tribute at the Queen’s coffin. The King still had a role to play in British public life, she said. ‘‘But across the British Isles, I think he will have a problem: a few will want to be independent.’’ She also predicted that Australia and New Zealand would seek to become republics.
‘‘He will never fill his mother’s shoes, but you never know.’’
Cassandra Alvarez, 34, felt he deserved a second chance. ‘‘Personally, I am not the biggest fan so far. But I think having the Queen at his side, he learnt quite a lot.’’
At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the royal residence where the King spent the night, well-wishers continued to come to offer their condolences. Visiting the sun-dappled tribute garden, Christine Eccles said she ‘‘hugely admired’’ the Queen’s sense of duty, and said the King had ‘‘a very big undertaking ahead of him’’.
She believed Charles would be ‘‘a caring King’’.
Her cousin, Lisa Eccles, was visiting from Colorado. ‘‘I was really impressed with his speech [on his accession to the throne].’’
In that address, the King confirmed he would serve for life, meaning Prince William will only succeed him when he dies.
For the crown to skip a generation, the King of England would have to abdicate.
Charles Stewart is pleased that did not happen. The 82-year-old acknowledged that the new King had faced many personal challenges.
Charles would prevail with the support of the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, he said.
‘‘He has got a lot to follow from his mother. But God willing, he will manage to do so with the help of his sister, Anne. She is a blessing. She is still looking after all the things for her mother.’’