Many royal followers look up to Prince Charles as the direct heir of Queen Elizabeth. As a matter of fact, the Prince of Wales was named as one of the most hardworking royals with a staggering 335 to attend and of which he managed to 227 in person.
Upon the death of his father, Prince Philip, on April 9, 2021, Prince Charles also inherited the Duke of Edinburgh title. Once Queen Elizabeth decides to abdicate, the husband of Camilla Parker-Bowles would become the King of the British monarchy.
While devoted supporters of Prince Charles are thrilled for his upcoming reign, some are having second thoughts as his “turbulent” nature is projected to “spell problems” for the future of the monarchy. Keep on reading to know more details.
Prince Charles’ Unwillingness To Remain Impartial Could Cause Problems?
Professor Jenny Hocking claimed that the unwillingness of Prince Charles to remain neutral on issues that he has been rallying for could spell problems for the future of the monarchy. Speaking to Express U.K., the political scientist stated:
“I think there will be lots of concern that he’s unwilling or perhaps unable to maintain the neutral position that a constitutional monarch has to have if they are to coexist within a parliamentary structure. That’s the real problem I think that we have ‒ that he’s not popular, he’s more interventionist. I think he’s seen as a more turbulent individual than the Queen and that spells problems for the monarchy ahead.”
The professor furthered that the public knows Prince Charles far better than they do Queen Elizabeth because of his infamous divorce from Princess Diana. Most, if not all, royal fans can recall that the former couple separated in 1992 following the news of their incompatibility and infidelity became public.
Jenny Hocking claimed the fact that people know so much about the details of Prince Charles’ personal life is a problem for the monarchy. The political scientist furthered:
“I think there’s a sense that we do know more about him and a lot of people aren’t particularly pleased with what they know. Particularly the upheaval in his marriage, the death of Diana, together with the way he’s been what you might call a ‘meddling’ prince. He hasn’t shied away from intervening in political matters and that’s quite shocking for a constitutional monarch to be. The nub of a constitutional monarchy, the thing that makes it rest more comfortably with a liberal democracy through the Westminster system, [is that] a constitutional monarch is meant to have no political power.”
The professor even cited the so-called “Black Spider” memos, wherein 27 private letters of Prince Charles to senior Government ministers were published in The Guardian in 2016. On the memos, Jenny Hocking said:
“That gives one single individual unique access to Government policy, which is for any individual utterly improper, and for a constitutional monarch completely improper. He’s been quite upfront in many ways about his public pronouncements on policy matters, for example, the most recent one on climate change, or some environmental or cultural issues. The question is not if you agree with them or not. The question: is should a constitutional monarch be making those particular pronouncements? The answer is no, he shouldn’t, because as a constitutional monarch he has to remain politically neutral.”
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However, Prince Charles insisted that he would not be a meddling monarch. In a 2018 BBC documentary called Prince, Son, Heir: Charles at 70, the Duke of Cornwall said he is “not that stupid.”
Prince Charles even argued that the role of Prince of Wales is somewhat different to that of a King or Queen. The former husband of the late Princess Diana even stated that he would be less interventionist when he ascends to the throne.
At the time, Prince Charles shared:
“I’ve tried to make sure whatever I’ve done has been nonparty political. But I think it’s vital to remember there’s only room for one sovereign at a time, not two, so you can’t be the same sovereign if you're the Prince of Wales or the heir. But the idea somehow that I’m going to go on in exactly the same way if I have to succeed is complete nonsense because the two situations are completely different. Clearly, I won’t be able to do the same things I’ve done, you know, as heir, so of course, you operate within the constitutional parameters.”
Earlier this week, Prince Charles warned that “there isn’t a moment to lose” in the fight against climate change. The father of Prince William and Prince Harry even said that the world was on “the brink” of environmental catastrophe, comparing the climate change threat to that of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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Though Prince Charles has received cheers and jeers for his calls to protect the environment, his critics think that this could actually become a problem once he takes over the throne. The husband of Camilla Parker-Bowles, inspired by his late father Prince Philip, has long been vocal about the need for a sustainable future.
Prince Charles Might Seek Government Approval To Make Camilla Parker-Bowles A Queen
Meanwhile, royal experts have predicted that Prince Charles might consult the government to change her title. Speaking to Express UK, Dr. Robert Morris said:
"What we have thought in the Constitution Unit was that Charles would be wise to discuss this matter with the Prime Minister of the day. He really has to have the Government behind him if he wants to make the lady Queen, I think. Although opinion over Camilla has changed quite radically in recent years, it’s still a tender point. And the new King would be well advised to have the Government behind him in this matter.”
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At the time of their marriage, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles issued a statement that the latter plans to “use the title HRH the Princess Consort when the Prince of Wales accedes to the throne.” A spokesperson for the couple even told The Times in 2020 that:
“The intention is for the Duchess to be known as Princess Consort when the Prince accedes to the throne. This was announced at the time of the marriage and there has been absolutely no change at all.”
While Prince William becomes the next in line for succession once Prince Charles becomes King, Camilla Parker-Bowles will become the royal consort. Usually, the husband or wife of a reigning Queen or King is known as royal consort. Hence, the Duchess of Cornwall should become Queen Consort in respect to Prince Charles.
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