Some lives are more destined than others. one of Carlos Felipe Arturo Jorge Mountbatten-Windsor is one of them. The eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has lived for more than 70 years with the knowledge that he will one day become king.

Saturday will finally be crowned. Full of grandeur and atmosphere, this event has mobilized resources, attention and created anticipation around the world. But in England, the ceremony was viewed with indifference by many.

“It seems that respect for monarchy is older,” a 24-year-old British man recently said. “My parents love it. They love the royal family. For me it is ‘what is’”.

And, on a more individual level, as Mark Landler, the London bureau chief of the Times explains, “At age 74, Carlos is a well-known figure, whose flaws have been scrutinized in the media for decades and remain the head of a dysfunctional family.

Some believe that, unlike his mother, who is the young face of a century-old institution, the king lacks the charisma and public will to give him symbolism capable of inspiring or invigorating the country.

Not that Carlos III didn’t have provocative or even progressive views. It’s been known for a long time who have an interest in nature, the environment and organic farming.

In fact, his opinion was ridiculed back then: he was ridiculed for talking to his plants and playing music to them.

But as Kim Severson, food culture correspondent, reports, the new king will have a chance to push his agenda: “It remains to be seen whether the king will continue to be a staunch supporter of progressive food and agriculture policies. His mother maintained strict political neutrality, and Carlos knew he had to temper his impulse to be outspoken.”

In a recent survey of more than 3,000 British adults, a third of those surveyed said they were interested in the coronation.

“For Charles III, Saturday was the first great test of whether he could steer a modern, more austere monarchy that is relevant – or at least irresistible – to the great majority of English citizens.” wrote historian Hannah Rose Woods in a recent opinion piece.

We’ll have to wait a little longer to judge whether Carlos III managed to generate attention and sympathy for his cause and thus gain relevance.

By the way, if you are interested in knowing the line of succession to the British royal family, here he is.

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The Met Gala is being held on May 1 in Manhattan. This year’s show is dedicated to designer Karl Lagerfeld. Participants are creative and inventive in interpreting—or ignoring—the dress code. Here are 17 outfits that caught the attention of Times editors.

—grandson of patricia And Sabrina Duke producing and editing this newsletter.

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