Kings Charles and Camilla ‘have a very high bar’: The future of the British monarchy in 2024

King Charles III He became the 40th British monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London in mid-2023. ascended the throne immediately after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022The 75-year-old sovereign was formally crowned king eight months later, in May this year, in a religious ceremony that attracted 2,200 people and millions of viewers around the world.

In the midst of two international events (Elizabeth’s funeral and Charles’ coronation), a concern arose in the minds of many: What is the future of the British monarchy, with a modern, multicultural and even multi-religious society?

Elizabeth II vs. Charles III

At this point, Carlos III has technically had his first year of reign, enough time to analyze his leadership and take a look at what awaits him in 2024. According to an Ipsos survey from April this year, 49% of respondents (almost half) say that Charles is doing well work as a monarch, while 32% say that they do their job neither well nor badly. 9% said they do their job poorly.

“She has a very high ranking compared to her predecessor, her mother, Queen Isabella,” says Santiago Pérez, a political science graduate with a master’s degree in international relations who is featured in Globalization and Conflict. This means that the inevitable comparisons to her mother could affect public perception of her reign.

King Charles III wears his crown for the first time, something he has not done since he was crowned, at the opening of Parliament

“Elizabeth’s reign of more than seven decades was known precisely for her dedication and service, and she became a respected and, above all, a symbolic figure on the world stage.” For Pérez, Isabel provided spaces of stability and continuity for the British monarchy and above all for the country; modernized the monarchical institution, adapting to changing sensibilities and expectations from the 20th century into the 21st century; promoted the unity of the Commonwealth of Nations, thereby strengthening its ties; She contributed to diplomacy and the global image of the United Kingdom, and was a patron of more than 600 charitable and social organizations.

“She had distinguished leadership that ensured a calm and steady presence during periods of crisis, including political strife, natural disasters and apparently social crises… the major celebrations of her reign, the silver, gold, diamond and platinum jubilees, reflected his dedication and respect which had in the public”, says the coordinator of UNESCO chairs at the Private Technical University of Loja.

Camila shines like a queen with a historic crown at the opening of Parliament presided over by King Charles

Carlos III’s Challenges Facing 2024

For this reason, adds the UTPL professor, the main challenge of Charles III. is to keep the monarchy relevant. “Above all public image management, mixed with his history of personal controversies… He must manage the royal family’s image to preserve public status and respect, above all the unification of the kingdom and the Commonwealth.”

According to Pérez, the division is thought to remain within the royal family. “He has to put the house in order as the head of the family and the monarch who runs the institution. The signs of weakness and credibility are clear. The monarch inherited the departure of some of its members, the voluntary exile of some of them, public scandals caused by accusations of sexual abuse and racism that affected the image of the king.

It also requires you to manage your relationship with the media, especially in the digital era, where social media is integrated with the media, so public scrutiny is intense. It is a key challenge to his rule.

As for the modernization of the monarchy, Charles III must continue that process, balancing between tradition and the modern needs and expectations of the population and political actors in the United Kingdom. “Let the monarchy be attractive to younger generations. There is some research within the United Kingdom that shows the monarchy is losing its influence with the death of the longest-serving queen in British history.

The new sovereign also faces political and social tensions that threaten his reputation, such as anti-monarchist groups that do not recognize him as monarch. “Charles III is the king of a country dissatisfied with the decline in living standards, wages, which cannot keep up with high inflation, and to this are added the effects of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Brexit), a large call for strikes and protests by various labor unions.”

Ecological activism of Charles III

“Another important point is social and environmental challenges from different sectors of the international community. He is known for his activism in environmental and social issues, but Charles III must find a balance between his role as a constitutional monarch and his personal interest in these areas,” says Santiago Pérez.

The 74-year-old British king is a long-time advocate of environmental issues, from the fight against climate change to biodiversity. “It could be interesting if the work already done with the community to help with this sustainable cocoa and vanilla production project in the Amazon, funded by the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance established by the King in 2020, and other initiatives can continue or can to promote in a better way and thus contribute to new projects or new forms of financing the conservation of the Ecuadorian Amazon”, the professor gives as an example.

Queen Camilla’s Contributions to the British Crown

For decades, Camila was classified as a “sweetie turned queen.” Santiago Pérez believes that this is not entirely true, at least from certain perspectives. In recent years, a strong and relevant campaign has been promoted in relation to its image, due to which the negative assessment given to it since the 90s is increasingly reversed.

In any case, the expert points out something that no one should ignore: “Inside the palace, she is known as ‘Lady Boss’ and her opinion is the first that the king consults.” This means that the Queen’s court will be more involved in the affairs of the British monarchy than its subjects realise.