But his arrival on the throne, at the age of 73 and after seven decades of his mother’s reign, raises many questions about the future of the institution, the country and its relationship to the world: how will the king deal with the aspirations for independence of some territories like Scotland or some of the territories that make up the Commonwealth? How will she achieve the image of stability and continuity her mother has given Great Britain, abroad and at home, thanks primarily to her neutrality and wisdom?

1. Commonwealth survival

Of the challenges the new king must face, the least certain is the survival of the significant Commonwealth. Today, the organization is made up of 14 former British colonies and protectorates, independent and semi-independent, but honoring the figure of the king.

It’s hard to imagine Australia, Canada and New Zealand retaining the British monarch as head of state for decades.

2. Scottish independence

The most important challenge at the national level for Carlos III was preventing Scottish independence, though it did not depend solely on him. Unfriendly attitudes may encourage secession, but the 2014 referendum already granted independence with Elizabeth II as the new head of state.

Despite the fact that thousands of people waited for hours to see the arrival of the queen’s coffin at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, and Charles’ proclamation as king, there was a strong republican trend in Scotland.

According to the poll, 49% of Scots would support independence compared to 51% who would oppose it. However, republics and independence did not unite, and currently, 42% believe that monarchies are good for the country compared to only 22% who think they are bad.

The key to Scotland’s new relationship with Charles III may lie in how the king acts and what he says, and whether he maintains political neutrality, like his predecessors.

3. Thoughtful style

One of the king’s greatest challenges is fighting his tendency to speak his own mind (he has promised to give up his “activism”), to become the mortar of a society that, like all others, is becoming increasingly polarized.

One of Isabel II’s successes was that it was very unnoticed in politics. He is very careful with any word he says and, in fact, we don’t really know his opinion on public matters.

Britain’s Charles, however, has spoken on several occasions about issues such as climate change or social inequality – far from his mother’s neutrality – perhaps because he is not king and is under no obligation to do so. Despite the difficulty of obtaining it, there is a paradox that the neutrality required by the position may prevent him from continuing to promote things that will bring him closer to the younger generation.

4. Approach to the ‘general’

Another personal challenge for Carlos III was to get closer to the “commons”, something complicated given his education in privilege and in the context of British classism.

We saw him during the proclamation ceremony, which was held at the Palace of St. James, when signing his appointment, motioned for one of his assistants to remove one of the inkwells. The moment went viral on social networks and was branded as elitist, and, from what one might expect, that wasn’t the only sign of his mandate.

5. Stability reference

Fundamentally, and to meet all of the above challenges, Carlos III must aspire to become, like his mother, the benchmark of stability, in a world currently engulfed in political and economic turmoil, with Brexit only adding to the difficulties.

The policies of Isabel II provided continuity to the country and have been an anchor in times of greatest success as well as in times of greatest economic and political crisis. With a much shorter reign, it will be necessary to see if Carlos III succeeded in providing that stability.

Although the new monarch has improved his image in recent years, he lacks the affection that Elizabeth II has earned, a figure of consensus and respect for most Britons.

Carlos III transmits a little more solidly than when he was a prince and his early speeches are hopeful, but we’ll have to wait to see if he really follows his mother’s example.