Even optically, the new one made it different. Standing, King Charles III. his Christmas speech. This was an unfamiliar sight for many Britons, who were used to seeing his mother Queen Elizabeth II sitting behind her desk. Above all, however, the 74-year-old set his own course in terms of content. In contrast to the “eternal queen”, who only hinted at problems, Charles makes little secret of his opinion. He clearly mentioned the suffering of many people who can hardly pay for food and energy.
Thanks to the health workers
Charles also explicitly thanked health workers and public sector workers, who are currently engaged in bitter collective bargaining disputes with the conservative government. Was that a sign of what the monarch himself thought of it? Commentators promptly warned that the king was in danger of becoming politically involved. That would be against the norm, as British monarchs are traditionally neutral. Sky News broadcaster asked: “Is King Charles crossing a line?”
Observers had expected that Charles would deviate – at least a little bit – from the behavior of his mother, who was known for her disciplined attitude. In the kingdom, Charles had repeatedly appeared with his own themes and theses. It was said that he was “outspoken”, which can be translated as “bluntly” or “straightforward”. The palace did not contradict a report that Charles had expressed his horror in a private conversation about the government’s plan to fly illegal migrants to Rwanda without checking their background. That was just before the Queen died.
The king shows his empathy
Even as a king, he has already attracted attention with a little diplomatic statement. “Back again – dear oh dear” (“Back again. Oh dear, oh dear”), he welcomed then Prime Minister Liz Truss to an audience. Truss’ numerous critics laughed, while others emphasized that the king wanted to cheer up the head of government, who was in serious trouble. In any case, one thing is clear: such a statement by the Queen would never have been made public if it had existed at all.
So now the comments in the Christmas speech: Charles promptly received praise for the empathy shown. The newspaper “Daily Express” called him the “King of Caring”. The tabloid “Daily Mail” recognized a “royal message of love and hope” and the “Times” praised the speech as a “gift” for troubled employees. The positive response adds to the first impressions Charles has had since the Queen died on September 8.
It is no longer noticeable that he is sticking to his long-established commitment to nature, for which he was once derided as a “green idiot”. But Charles does not seem to want to limit himself to the environment and nature alone.
That could also influence public opinion, commented Stephen Bates, the former royals reporter for the liberal newspaper The Guardian. The speech preached the values that the Tories had abandoned. “He lauded the civil service and volunteers and evoked the compassionate conservatism that the government has banished from its ranks and rhetoric.” It is now clear, Bates noted, that Charles can and will voice his concerns, even if the Cabinet does not like it.
The royal family as a united front?
Only one hurdle remains: the family. Charles’ brother Prince Andrew, long disgraced for his involvement in a sex abuse scandal, is increasingly being pushed out of the palace by Charles. Arguing with his younger son is likely to be less easy for Charles to resolve. The allegations that Prince Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan recently brought up again in a Netflix series seem to have bounced off the Royal Family.
Now she’s gearing up for Harry’s memoir, due out January 10, which is set to be a lot more explosive. Here, too, a joint appearance is likely to be the key, say experts. And the Telegraph newspaper comments: “The success of the king’s first year will largely depend on whether his family, who are under fire, can form a united front.”
