Prince Charles or Prince William?: How is the monarchy going?

Prince Charles or Prince William?
What’s next for the monarchy?

Who follows the Queen: Prince Charles (right) or Prince William?

© imago/Matrix

The Queen is firmly on the British throne. But one day there will be a successor and Prince Charles is not a bad choice.

Queen Elizabeth II (95) celebrated her 70th anniversary on Sunday (February 6). The big celebrations are due to start in early June, by which time the Queen will already be 96 years old. Passing on the scepter during her lifetime is out of the question for her. At some point in the hopefully distant future there will be a change at the top of the royal family. Royal expert Julia Melchior explains in an interview with spot on news what he looks like and why Prince Charles (73) is perhaps the better choice than his son Prince William (39).

It’s hard to imagine, Queen Elizabeth after 70 years, but the day will come. Then who will succeed her to the throne?

Julia Melchior: Yes, it’s still unimaginable. However, it is clearly regulated and laid down in writing that the moment the Queen dies, the Prince of Wales ascends the throne. And the Prince of Wales is Charles. He will automatically be the next king. But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t do without in favor of his son William. It’s up to him and it would certainly be a big signal that he thinks about the institution and not just about the personnel. Because of course a younger generation at the head of state would do the crown good. Charles and Camilla cannot reach people the way William and Kate can.

Is there also something that speaks for Charles and Camilla in the line of succession?

Melchior: Yes. Precisely because they are still a young family, accession to the throne would of course be a drastic experience for the Cambridges as a family, because Kate and especially William would then be more claimed. The Queen always works, every day. The only two exceptions are Christmas and Easter Sunday. On all other days, it is supplied with the so-called red boxes, which contain the government securities. The government keeps them informed about current political events, bills and the like. And it is known that these are meticulously studied by her every day. Being the British head of state is not just a ceremonially decorative office, but a grueling job. And from that point of view, it would be understandable to give William and his family a little more time for themselves.

Prince Charles has become more popular in recent years anyway, or is that misleading?

Melchior: For a long time, Prince Charles was considered an ecological nutcase. From an early age he was concerned with environmental issues, forest protection and organic farming. He has also launched his own organic biscuits. These topics have been driving him for 40 years. But most didn’t take him seriously for a long time. In the meantime, however, it is the case that he gets his platform. He hosted the UN climate summit in Glasgow last year and, in his speech, warned that the “literally last chance” to avert the catastrophe should be used. And that goes down very, very well with the young Brits. You appreciate Prince Charles.

The dramas and scandals of the past don’t matter to young people?

Melchior: You didn’t even notice all the gossip theater in the 1980s and 1990s. They see this older gentleman who has had future issues on the agenda for 40 years and who stands up for them with total conviction. He knows what he’s talking about and doesn’t just talk about it because it’s trendy. As a result, he is well respected by young people, but he cannot reach the masses like William and Kate and their family.

You are currently working on a film for ARTE and ZDF that does not look back at the Queen’s lifetime achievements, but forwards to the future of the British royal family with William and Kate. What can you reveal about that?

Melchior: The film is called “Power Couples” and is scheduled to run in conjunction with the celebrations for Prince William’s 70th throne jubilee and 40th birthday – both in June. It is about three new generation royal couples and their role in modern democracies. The focus is on William and Kate. It’s also about Felipe and Letizia from Spain and Victoria and Daniel from Sweden. According to the Democracy Index, these three states are among the most democratic countries in the world and yet have a royal family at the top. Apparently this is not a contradiction.

SpotOnNews

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