The current development: On September 8, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, passed away. Her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, assumed the throne. King Charles III will now be addressed and will have all the authority the late Queen enjoyed as Head of State under the British constitutional monarchy while he waits to be crowned.
What are the monarch’s responsibilities, and how have they evolved over time?
In contemporary Britain, the monarch’s authority or function is primarily ceremonial. British monarchy reigns but does not govern, claims University College London (UCL).
The monarch “must to stay totally neutral with respect to political affairs,” the Royal Family’s official website states. This was especially true throughout Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, as she hardly ever made her political opinions public. The late Queen had noted in a 1992 documentary about her weekly private meetings with British Prime Ministers: “They know that one may be unbiased, so to speak. Feeling like a sponge, in my opinion, is really pleasant.
- Role in the Commonwealth realms
The newly elected British monarch will also preside over the Commonwealth of Nations, an organisation born out of the former British empire. There are 56 autonomous countries in it, and there are 2.4 billion people living there. This is distinct from the Commonwealth Realms, where the King will serve as the symbolic Head of State for 14 nations or Realms, including Canada, Australia, and Jamaica, all of which are constitutional monarchies. In nations other than the United Kingdom, the figurehead is represented by governors general who are appointed by the monarch.
2.Perception of the monarchy
Critics who advocate for its reform have questioned for years why the institution of monarchy should continue to exist in a contemporary democracy and a more egalitarian country, but the institution has also enjoyed significant public support despite scandals, the passing of Princess Diana, the divorces of royal couples, the departure of Prince Harry and Megan Markle, and other events
3.Head of the Commonwealth
Charles has been appointed leader of the Commonwealth, a grouping of 56 independent nations with 2.4 billion inhabitants. The King serves as the head of state for 14 of these nations in addition to the UK.
Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu are among the nations collectively referred to as the Commonwealth realms.
4.The coronation
The coronation, when Charles is formally crowned, will be the symbolic pinnacle of the accession. The coronation is not likely to take place right away when Charles assumes the throne due to the preparation required; Queen Elizabeth succeeded to the throne in February 1952 but was not crowned until June 1953.
The coronation has taken place in Westminster Abbey for the past 900 years; William the Conqueror was the first head of state to be crowned there, and Charles will be the 40th.
The Archbishop of Canterbury conducts this religious ceremony, which is of the Anglican faith. At the conclusion of the ceremony, he will bestow Charles with St. Edward’s Crown, a 1661 solid gold crown.
Only until the monarch is really crowned does he or she wear this, which is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London (not least because it weighs a hefty 2.23kg – almost 5lbs).
The coronation, unlike royal weddings, is a state event; the government finances it and ultimately determines the guest list.
A tradition of anointing the new monarch with oils of orange, rose, cinnamon, musk, and ambergris will take place in addition to music, readings, and songs.
In front of a global audience, the newly crowned King will take the oath of office. The Archbishop of Canterbury will lay the solid gold crown on his head during this elaborate ritual, and he will also receive the orb and as symbols of his new position.