It's official. Prince Charles has taken his place as the new king of England, following the passing of his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thursday, September 8. Let’s dive into the details and explore what this monumental moment means for the British monarchy and the world.
Will Prince Charles Ascend to the Throne After Queen Elizabeth's Passing?
Absolutely, Prince Charles was next in line to inherit the British throne, and his coronation journey commenced immediately following the Queen’s passing in Scotland at the age of 96. The Prince of Wales, now 73, has become the oldest British monarch to ascend the throne. This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter in the storied history of the monarchy.
Prime Minister Liz Truss captured the sentiment of the nation when she said, “We usher in a new era in the magnificent history of our great country exactly as Her Majesty would have wished, by saying the words: God Save the King.” This powerful statement resonated with people across the globe, underscoring the importance of maintaining continuity in such times of transition.
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However, Charles’ journey to the throne isn’t complete without a few formalities. A group of royal advisors, known as the Privy Council, will gather at St. James’s Palace in London for an “Accession Council.” This is where they will formally recognize the transfer of power and announce the new monarch. Following this, Charles will take an oath to preserve the Church of Scotland, and members of Parliament will come together to pledge their allegiance to the new king.
As the eldest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, Charles has spent much of his life preparing for this moment. Together with his siblings—Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward—he has watched the monarchy evolve over the decades, and now it’s his turn to lead with grace and determination.
Who Inherits the Throne After Queen Elizabeth's Passing?
Upon taking the throne, Charles chose to retain his name, becoming King Charles III. Interestingly, Queen Elizabeth's decision to keep her birth name was quite unusual, as most British monarchs opt for a different regnal name upon ascending the throne. Given Charles’ age and the public’s familiarity with him, it’s no surprise he decided to stick with what people know best.
Historian Carolyn Harris, author of Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting, had previously speculated on Charles’ decision. “The Prince of Wales has been known by the public as Prince Charles for his entire life, so it is certainly possible that he will retain Charles as his regnal name as King,” she explained. “Charles also has the option of choosing one of his middle names. If he were to choose George, he would be George VII, with his grandson Prince George of Cambridge likely to eventually become George VIII.”
Queen Elizabeth’s reign was extraordinary, lasting over 70 years and making her the second-longest reigning monarch in world history. Only French King Louis XIV, who reigned for over 72 years after ascending the throne at the tender age of 4 and passing away in 1715, surpasses her remarkable record.
Will Camilla Parker Bowles Become Queen?
With Charles now king, his wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, has officially taken on the title of Queen Consort. This title was once a topic of debate, but Queen Elizabeth herself gave her blessing for Camilla to assume the role in February, expressing it as her “sincere wish.”
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After marrying Charles in April 2005, Camilla made the conscious decision not to adopt the title of Princess of Wales, feeling it was too closely tied to Charles’ first wife, the late Princess Diana. Diana, who tragically passed away in August 1997, shared two children with Charles—Prince William and Prince Harry—before their divorce in 1996. Camilla’s choice reflects her sensitivity to the legacy of her husband’s first marriage and her desire to forge her own path as a member of the royal family.
