5 biggest challenges King Charles faces a year on from mum’s death & fall-out that would have upset late Queen the most
KING Charles faces five huge challenges a year on from his mother’s death, a royal expert has claimed.
Today marks a year since Charles took the reins of the royal family after the Queen’s tragic death following more than seven decades as monarch.
This morning Charles, 74, hailed her “devoted service” and express “great affection” for her.
And in an audio tribute, the King said he is “deeply grateful” for the nation’s support to him and Queen Camilla over the past year.
But, royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams believes Charles has major challenges ahead of him as king.
His Majesty has long been understood to want a slimmed-down and streamlined monarchy.
However, Mr Fitzwilliams believes this could cause major problems for Charles.
He told The Sun: “King Charles has yet to decide what the concept of a ‘slimline monarchy’ actually means, with patronages being reviewed by the Palace, but with only four working royals under seventy.”
The idea of a slimmed down monarchy leads to two major questions – what should he do with Prince Andrew and Prince Harry.
He explained: “He has added more Counsellors of State who can take his place if he is incapacitated or ill, as Andrew, who is permanently in disgrace and Harry, who has gone rogue, obviously could not.”
And back in April King Charles launched a study of the royal family’s role in the slave trade in past centuries.
Mr Fitzwilliams believes this could be a sore spot during royal trips abroad.
And there are fears over how Charles’ fall-out with his son Prince Harry could affect the future of The Firm.
The expert explained: “The Queen was badly let down by the Sussexes and she would have been saddened by the way they have continued their attacks on the royal family.
“A YouGov poll this week has confirmed the drop in support the monarchy has suffered among the young, ever since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals and gave that toxic interview on Oprah.
“The Queen was a pragmatist, she realised the “half in, half out” model they wanted was not feasible. She would, of course, have preferred the family to be united, or at least to keep disagreements private.
“Whilst she lived they paid lip service to her, after her death, Harry, in his memoir Spare and the interviews he gave to promote it, unwisely launched further attacks on the royal family, including Camilla.”
It comes as members of the royal family today paid tribute to the Queen across the UK.
Prince Harry was spotted leaving Windsor Castle today alone, while Kate and William attended a service in Wales.
Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla attended a service in Scotland with the late Queen’s niece and nephew, Lady Sarah Chatto and the Earl of Snowdon.
The King had recorded a message and released a favourite photograph of his mother.
Charles, in words written, and audio spoken, at Balmoral Castle and recorded on Thursday, said he recalled with “great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us”.
He said: “I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”
The formal colour photograph chosen by Charles was taken by Cecil Beaton and shows her aged 42 in 1968.
She is standing sideways and smiling in her Garter robes and wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s Tiara, made of 15 interlaced diamond circles.