A sword of Damocles always hangs on the head of an English king named Charles. Charles I, being a little too Stuart and a little too pro-Catholic, was eventually tried, sentenced to death “in the name of the law” and beheaded. Charles II restored the monarchy, but with no legitimate children, he left the throne to his brother Giacomo, who was deposed by Parliament in the second and glorious Revolution: from then on in London he no longer commanded the King, but Parliament. Charles III, who will be crowned on May 6 this year, does not have such a serious fate: perhaps the fate of the British monarchy does not depend on him. Still, not everyone is convinced they have broad enough shoulders to handle the weight of the St.
There are two types of doubt. First, the British only remember one form of monarchy, the “Elizabeth brand”, the Queen, who ascended to the throne at 25 and stayed there for more than seventy years. Will they now accept the transmission of true charisma to such a different personality? The second question is: is the real Karl who took over the monarchy any better than the Karl in TV series The Crown who exposed its worst for the world to see?
Enrica Roddolo’s answer in her new book entitled «Carlo III. The heart and duty of the king is, yes, man is different, he is better, and he will make it. And I trust his judgement. Because if there is an Italian woman who deserves the English-language title “Royal Watcher”, that unique breed of journalist and observer who knows how to free herself from the largely secret labyrinths of the British royal family, it is her.
He has first hand sources on Carlo. First of all for meeting and speaking to him privately more than once. Then for covering the two weddings of his sons, William and Harry, and Elizabeth’s anniversary and funeral. And finally, for the impressive amount of people close to him he was able to consult and quote in his volume.
The author’s confidence in the talents of Charles III. sets, also stems from his first attempts at service. His opinions are known to have been feared, varied, and ingrained, built up over a long and often empty life of waiting that lasted 74 years. Originally conservative ideas, for example about architecture or natural agriculture; but precisely because of this, they later turned out to be progressive, almost forerunners of the times, as was the case with ecology and sustainability. The horror of a government accustomed to govern while the monarchy does nothing but govern, was that when Charles became king, he gave concrete and public expression to his opinions. To the point of asking him not to go to Egypt for Cop 27, the climate change conference. The king obeyed. Which means he’ll just be king from now on.
So progressive Charles III. may be, of course he still stars in one of the oldest and most outdated sagas in a rapidly changing world. The author of the book correctly identifies the cancel culture, i.e. the long wave of post-colonialism, as the most dangerous enemy threatening their rule. Because even behind the madness, the rudeness, the mockery that the “Sussex” couple Harry and Meghan reserved for the royal family via Netflix, the most serious problem of a “much whiter” monarchy lurks in the country over which it actually rules, and also the wider Anglosphere in which it breathes. Even the crude accusations of “racism” leveled at the Windsors stem from the fact that, as she was careful to let people know after a special test, Meghan has 43% African genetic heritage.
Also revealing are the controversies surrounding the jewels of a family that once ruled over a quarter of the world. The future Queen Camilla was forced to forgo wearing the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond, which was worn by King George VI’s consort. 1927 wore. Indian Prime Minister Modi, and with him much of India, actually considers it his prey an English snap against the compatriot who was the last legitimate owner. Will this gesture be enough to avoid a repeat of York’s protests at colonialism’s mistakes, including throwing eggs at the King’s address on the occasion of the visit of the President of South Africa? And how long will the Supreme Court be able to prevent a second referendum on Scottish independence?
Nevertheless, Enrica Roddolo concludes, after the first hundred days, the polls give a growing consensus for the king, around 63%. It will probably stay that way for a while, regardless of his qualities. It occurred to me that as much as the British doubt their rulers, they doubt their politicians a lot more. And the thought of one day having to vote for one of them instead of Carlos makes him sick. So: long live the king.