Charles' accession ushers in the Carolean age.
The second Elizabethan age came to an end when Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, September 8 – with her son, Charles, ascending to the throne in her place.
His Majesty automatically became monarch when the Queen died because of an old common law rule called ‘Rex nunquam moritur’, which translates to ‘the king never dies.’
Most people have only ever known life under Her Majesty’s reign, and so many will be wondering just what changes they can expect in the Carolean age?
Here is everything we know so far.
Now that he is King, it’s thought that Charles will restructure the British monarchy.
This essentially means that only a select few members of the Royal Family will be working royals.
Why? Well, to save costs for one thing – and reducing the number of royals reliant on the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Charles has never made any secret of the fact that he wants a slimmed-down Monarchy when he becomes King.
‘He realises that the public don’t want to pay for a huge Monarchy and, as he said, the balcony at Buckingham Palace would probably collapse.’
It may also be beneficial to focus on just a few family members from a PR perspective – looking back at the furore around ‘Megxit’ (aka Harry and Meghan leaving ‘The Firm’) – and Prince Andrew’s sex abuse case.
His exile from the working monarchy is expected to be made permanent and questions could also be raised about his dukedom, according to the Daily Mail.
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Charles has become His Majesty King Charles III – as we’ve had a Charles I and a Charles II on the throne already.
The former Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla has taken the title of ‘Queen Consort’ – a move backed by Queen Elizabeth II in a hugely significant intervention.
Her Majesty used her Platinum Jubilee message to back the Duchess of Cornwall as Queen earlier this summer.
She said in the written message: ‘I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.
‘And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.’
In his first public address as King, Charles named Prince William to be the Prince of Wales, the title he himself held before the Queen’s death.
‘With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given,’ Charles said.
William will also retain his Dukedom – so he’ll still be The Duke of Cambridge, as well as The Duke of Cornwall.
As heir to the throne, he’ll be top of the pecking order in a new, slimmed-down monarchy.
Catherine will become the Princess of Wales, and will remain The Duchess of Cambridge.
Alongside her husband, she has also been named The Duchess of Cornwall.
Now that he is King, Charles may choose to give his youngest sibling, Edward, the title Duke of Edinburgh.
Held by their father Prince Philip from his marriage to Elizabeth II until his death in 2020, it will merge with the Crown when Charles has the top job, and will be free to use.
It’s long been speculated that this is the plan – particularly as Prince Edward has taken over Prince Philip’s Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
And with such a prestigious title could come many important responsibilities, such as a more public-facing role.
Sophie Wessex, as she’s commonly known, has become a much-loved member of the Royal Family.
If Edward becomes The Duke of Edinburgh, then she will become The Duchess of Edinburgh.
It is not yet know what King Charles III has planned for the royals.
The new monarch may want to make several changes to the way things are done – despite the Royal Family’s protocols being steeped in tradition.
But there is one thing we can surely expect: a strong stance on the climate crisis.
Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate all attended last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26.
His Majesty frequently speaks out about the urgency of dealing with climate change.
One source of speculation, too, is the future of Buckingham Palace.
Many reports suggest that as King Charles and Camilla, Princess Consort, the couple won’t want to take up residence at the monarch’s official home.
The Palace is currently undergoing a major renovation – which may have played a role in the Queen’s move to Windsor Castle in the later years of her life, along with husband Prince Philip.
Work is due to be completed in 2027, and the pricey upgrade is believed to be in part due to plans to open up more of the Palace to the public.
At the time of writing, Clarence House in London remains Charles and Camilla’s official residence, where they’ve lived since 2003.
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