While carefully following unicorn surgery and London Bridge Operationplans designed for Elizabeth II’s deaththat King Charles III of England face early new stage at the head of the British monarchy. In his first speech as king, quoting Shakespeare, he said that the queen is the “model for all living princes” and he claims to be aware of the great inheritance he has received, as well as his duties and responsibilities.

But his arrival on the throne, with 73 years old and after seven decades of his mother’s reign, he raises many questions about the future of institutions, the state and its relationship to the world: How will the king deal with the aspirations for independence of some areas 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. Currently, the organization consists of 14 independent and semi-independent former British colonies and protectoratesbut it honors the figure of the king.

Continuing to maintain the unity of these nations is a great challenge, and Carlos III, realizing that, received an audience last Sunday. Patricia ScotlandCommonwealth Secretary.

Also, although it seems too early to make a decision, Prime Minister Old and beardedone of those 14 countries, has reported that will call for a referendum on becoming a republic within the next three yearsafter the queen’s death.

hard to imagine Australia, Canada and New Zealand kept the British monarch as head of state for decades.

2. Scottish independence

The most important national challenge for Carlos III was prevent Scottish independencethough it doesn’t just depend on it. Unfriendly manners can encourage separationbut 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 the proclamation of Charles as king, there strong republican tendencies in Scotland.

According to the poll, 49% of Scots will support independence versus 51% who will reject it. However, the republic and independence did not unite, and at this time, and42% believe monarchy is good for the country compared to only 22% think it is 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 combat your tendency to express your own opinion (he has promised to give up his “activism”), to become the mortar of a society that, like everyone, is becoming more and more 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.

Charles from England, however, has spoken on several occasions on issues such as climate change or social inequality —far from his mother’s neutrality–, perhaps because he wasn’t a king and wasn’t obligated 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 promise, he gestured for one of his assistants to take out one of the inkwells. The moment went viral on social networks and was labeled as elitistand, as far as one can predict, it’s not the only such cue from his mandate.

5. Stability reference

Basically, and to meet all of the above challenges, Carlos III must aspire to be, like his mother, stability referencein a world currently in political and economic turmoil, with Brexit further compounding the difficulties.

Isabel II’s wisdom gave continuity to the country and has become 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 king had improved his image in recent years, don’t have the affection that Elizabeth II getsa figure of consensus and respected by the majority of British citizens.

Carlos III transmits a little more solidly than when he was a prince and his opening speech was pushbut we’ll have to wait to see if she really follows her mother’s example.

The original article was published in Conversation

CONTINUE READING: