King Charles has been reigning as the monarch for just over a year since Queen Elizabeth II’s demise. However, those who have closely followed his rule may have noticed that he has not been very active. Though he still makes public appearances, he appears to be taking a more subdued role compared to his predecessors. This is not because of laziness; rather, it is a deliberate strategy to pave the way for the next king, Prince William.
Although Charles is currently the king, it appears that Prince William is the one who is actually representing the royal family in the public eye. William and Kate Middleton first met while they were in college and got married in 2011. Since then, the public has been captivated by the couple, and Charles is aware of this fact. Due to the widespread admiration for William and Kate, as well as the likelihood that William will be king for a much longer period than his father, Charles has taken a step back from the position of being the main figurehead of the monarchy.
Speaking to Slingo (via Express), former royal butler Paul Burrell says that Charles’ actions as king are a direct reflection of the fact that he’s just waiting for William to take over. “I have seen the King keeping quite a low profile in his first year as a caretaker monarch, as I like to call it,” Burrell said. “Because he is keeping the shop ticking over, he is looking after the business but not expanding on it or changing it radically.”
It all is with the idea that William will have more time to change the monarchy as he sees fit when he and Kate eventually rule. “In a way, he is almost shrinking the monarchy and cling-wrapping it until it is ready for the next generation; this is very much a caretaker situation.”
Of course, nobody can predict how the coming years will go for Charles and his lifespan. But with that said, assuming he remains healthy, Charles will likely rule for at least a decade. Queen Elizabeth never chose to retire, although her husband, Prince Philip, removed himself from the spotlight several years before his death in 2021.
It is clear that Charles understands the love that the public has for William, and if he is indeed taking on a “caretaker” role, he probably does not intend to rule for more than 10 years. By the time William is 50, if Charles abdicates and hands over the throne to him at the age of 85, William will have several decades to shape the monarchy according to his own vision, assuming he remains healthy.
It is currently understood that William and Kate are in the process of raising their young children. While Charles may not be keen on the prospect of expanding or altering the monarchy, he is unlikely to pass on the responsibility to William and Kate until their children are grown, unless it is absolutely necessary.It is currently understood that William and Kate are in the process of raising their young children. While Charles may not be keen on the prospect of expanding or altering the monarchy, he is unlikely to pass on the responsibility to William and Kate until their children are grown, unless it is absolutely necessary.
