The then Prince Charles of Wales dedicated his life to preparing, not without controversy, to reign, and he will do so at an age when his retired compatriots rest in the Andalusian sun.
At the age of 73 (born 14 November 1948), the hitherto Prince of Wales came to the throne as Britain’s oldest monarch – the second being William IV, who was 64 when he became king in 1831.
Already holder of a retirement pension of just over 100 pounds sterling – which he donated to a charity for the elderly – and the free public transport pass, Charles comes to the throne with a reputation for being more politically meddlesome than his fond mother. to causes ranging from organic agriculture to neoclassical architecture, including youth poverty.
Ending a record wait in the history of the British monarchy, he became king automatically after the death of his mother, in keeping with the old Latin maxim “Rex nunquam moritur” (the king never dies).
The new British king, until now known as Prince Charles, will adopt the name of Charles III, announced this Thursday (8) Clarence House
“He could surprise and use another of his names, as his great-grandfather did in 1901,” Bob Morris, author of several books on the future of the UK monarchy, told AFP.
Her coronation, a unique ceremony in Europe, is expected to take place, at best, within a few weeks, after the trauma of Elizabeth II’s death has passed.
She herself was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953 in front of over 8,200 guests, 16 months after being proclaimed queen.
– The activist prince –
In December 2016, Charles denounced the rise of populism and hostility to refugees, just the year his country left the European Union and Donald Trump was elected president of the United States.
“We are seeing the rise of many populist groups around the world increasingly aggressive towards those who profess a minority faith.”
“All of this has deeply unsettling echoes of the dark days of the 1930s,” he said.
His “activism” has given way to headlines such as: “Tension at Palace, Charles Refuses to be a Mute King” (Sunday Times), or “Queen Fears Country Isn’t Ready to Accept Charles and His Activism” (The Times ).
Both headlines responded to a controversial biography, “Charles: Heart of a King,” whose author, Catherine Mayer, introduced an “unenthusiastic” man to replace her mother, for fear of having to abandon his interests, and surrounded by many people willing to serve him.
– Camilla, the queen consort –
A vigorous public relations campaign helped him turn the page on his unpopularity at the time of the tragic death of his divorced ex-wife Diana in 1997 and manage his remarriage to Camilla, his lifelong lover. , in 2005.
Despite carrying the label of being the woman behind the divorce, Camilla, outgoing and laughing, ended up winning the sympathy of most Brits.
Camila automatically became queen consort this Thursday, at the express wish of Elizabeth II, who said so during a speech in February 2022 on the occasion of her 70th year of reign. It’s the title your mother and grandmother had.
However, due to the tragic death of Diana, Charles’ first wife, Camilla’s treatment was sensitive to many Britons to the point that, after marrying him in 2005, she herself decided not to assume the title of Princess of Wales.
Now, the new king takes over the reins of an institution with a reduced role in the world, at a time and age that pose a double challenge for this prince of singular personality.
Since his first official engagements in the 1970s, the Prince of Wales’ role has so far been one of “support”, hosting dignitaries, attending state dinners and traveling to a hundred countries, especially after Elizabeth II became ill. more fragile.
However, this elderly aristocrat has little popularity. Is it because of his age, his clumsiness or his passions that are sometimes confused with political interference?
Charles had just 54% favorable reviews in August 2021, according to a YouGov poll, far behind the Queen (80%), her son Prince William (78%), her daughter-in-law Catherine (75%) and her sister, Princess Anne (65%).
Since the death of his father Philip in April 2021, and while the Queen has been less present for health reasons, Charles has narrowed the royal circle to his closest entourage: Camilla, William and her younger brother Edward.
No one knows how Charles Philip Arthur George will embody the British monarchy, but one thing is certain: his years on the throne are numbered.
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