There's yet another tension within the royal family, this time between King Charles and Prince William, as plans for William's eventual succession to the throne gather speed following King Charles' declining health, according to reports. King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, wishes to maintain his position instead of stepping down, causing friction and rivalry between the two. News of this has sent the internet into a frenzy of memes.
Shifting Dynamics within the Monarchy
King Charles III became King of The United Kingdom after his mother - Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on September 8th, 2022. At 73, he became the oldest person to assume the throne, the longest-serving heir apparent, and the longest-serving Prince of Wales in the history of The United Kingdom. The news was met with celebration and criticism, sparking a wave of memes across the internet.
However, in February 2024, just over a year after assuming the throne, King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer. He has been undergoing treatments for the same ever since. Prince William has reportedly been making preparations to take his father's place in the months following King Charles' diagnosis due to growing fears about the latter's health.
As per the reports, Prince William has been undergoing rigorous training on the several tasks, duties, and obligations associated with becoming King. He is already said to be engaging in negotiations towards a smooth transfer of titles and handover of power. The Prince, with his wife, Princess Kate, rank higher in popularity than King Charles and Queen Camilla because of their relatability and youth appeal, much to the King's reported dislike.
According to sources, Prince William hopes his elevation will increase the public's interest in the royal family. His optimism is mostly based on the royal family's recent drop in support and popularity, which has led many to wonder if the monarchy in the United Kingdom is still worth preserving.
“I’m trying to do it differently, and I’m trying to do it for my generation. To give you more of an understanding around it, I’m doing it with maybe a smaller ‘r’ in the royal,” Prince Williams said.
However, Prince Williams' strategy is reported to not have sat well with King Charles III, who wishes to run things the way his late mother did. Furthermore, King Charles III, widely believed to have waited for decades to ascend the throne, appears to be unwilling to step down, as he is adamant about not letting even cancer get in the way of his determination to try and establish himself as a successful monarch.
This has been reportedly causing occasional tension between the two, as both of them take their royal responsibilities very seriously, though they both seem to be ensuring that the continuity and strength of the monarchy remain upheld.
The Main Role & Duties of the Monarchy in The U.K
The Monarch serves as the Head of State and not a ruler, as many would believe. Some constitutional tasks as Head of State involve appointing the Prime Minister with all the other ministers, opening new parliamentary sessions, dissolving old ones before the general election, and giving formal approvals to bills passed by the parliament, making them enforceable. They also meet weekly with the Prime Minister to discuss various government matters.
The Monarch also serves as head of the nation. They act as a symbol of national identity, promoting peace, unity, continuity, stability & tradition. They also recognize success and excellence, along with exceptional voluntary service.
Additionally, they serve as the Head of State of 14 other countries besides The U.K. and the Head of the Commonwealth - an association of 54 countries that once used to be British colonies.
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So, although The Monarchy does not have any political or executive role, it plays the role of a ceremonial figurehead in the country.
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