he future Elizabeth II was 21 when she pledged herself in service to her Imperial family. Her son and heir Charles III was 73 when he affirmed his own commitment to his country and Commonwealth—the Empire having dissolved long ago. The realm has been transformed in the 75 years between those speeches, but the demands of the sovereign's role remain the same. Uphold tradition (without being rigid). Embrace progress (without being trendy). Be steady. Be seen.
"That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today," said His Majesty King Charles III in a televised address the day after his mother's death.
In that first speech to his people as king, Charles made clear his respect for tradition—addressing, almost explicitly, long-held concerns about his commitment to the monarch's "particular relationship and responsibility towards" the Church of England, and to political neutrality. "As the queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation," he said
While affirming that "our values have remained, and must remain, constant," he tucked in references to diversity and inequality, issues that he worked to address as Prince of Wales. Our society is "one of many cultures and many faiths," he said. William and Catherine, "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."
The new king paid tribute to the late Queen—"my beloved mother," "my darling Mama"—and to his father, and spoke adoringly of his wife Camilla, the new Queen Consort. Much of the British public, still mourning for Diana, has opposed that title. But the couple has been married for 17 years now; he clearly cherishes her and she has worked hard in her royal role. In acknowledgment of Camilla's importance to her son—and to ease the transition—the Queen announced on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne last February her "sincere wish" that Camilla should have the title.
But the Queen died with other issues unresolved. While emphasizing that Prince Harry and wife Meghan would remain "much-loved members of my family," she drew a hard line about their royal status and Harry's military honors. In discussing his family on Thursday, Charles said, "I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas." But with Meghan's new podcast and Harry's upcoming memoir, it's not clear how much damage the couple may still inflict, nor how tough Charles is willing to be. The new king may also face questions about disgraced brother Prince Andrew, who reportedly would like to return to a public role despite his links to the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.
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