It is the first time in the history of the British monarchy that a platinum jubilee will be celebrated. Queen Elizabeth is not only setting a major milestone for herself. But what does this actually mean for Prince Charles, her firstborn and heir to the throne?
On February 6, 2022, Queen Elizabeth, 96, celebrated her 70th anniversary of the throne, which will be celebrated from June 2nd to 5th throughout Great Britain, but especially in London. With this platinum anniversary, she breaks a record in her home country. No monarch before her has held the throne for so long. If she does not abdicate by 2024, she will even set a record as the longest regent in the history of the European monarchy, surpassing the 72-year reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV of France. The majority of the population has never seen anyone other than Queen Elizabeth on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth prepares for a change of throne
But even if the sprightly royal is still attending the big celebrations in June on the occasion of her anniversary and is making no move to abdicate, the palace seems to be slowly preparing for a change of throne. After all, the Queen has had to slow down a bit in recent months for health reasons and rely more and more on her relatives when it comes to official appointments and events. The motto in the Windsor house should be that you have to see the monarchy in order to believe in it, writes “The Guardian”.
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One man in particular had his whole life to prepare for the moment of the change of throne: Prince Charles, 73. The day when he takes over the crown and the associated obligations from his mother does not seem too far away. This is also a major upheaval, a new era in the history of the British monarchy is dawning. With the beginning of the era of King Charles III. expectations of a modern monarchy increase.
Prince Charles is planning major changes for the monarchy
A change in the Windsor house has already become apparent in the past few months. Since Queen Elizabeth has had to cancel appointments more and more due to health reasons, her son and grandson in particular have been at the forefront and are demonstrating their qualities as future kings. Prince Charles also read the traditional “Queen’s Speech” for the first time at this year’s opening of Parliament.
It is said that Prince Charles is already working on plans for a thinned-out monarchy after his coronation. Means: He wants to reduce the number of family members who act on behalf of the crown and have the title of Royal Highness. This could be particularly good for taxpayers. “Charles’ vision of the monarchy – and this is supported by Prince William and increasingly by Queen Elizabeth – is one that fits the 21st century,” said Royal author Nigel Cawthorne in a 2020 interview with “Express”.
The change of throne means a new beginning and farewell
But for him, the change of throne will not only symbolize a happy event and a new beginning, but also one of the saddest moments of his life. Because if Queen Elizabeth does not abdicate prematurely – and experts consider that highly unlikely – Charles will only become king when his beloved mother has died. A time of mourning begins with his coronation.
So there seems to be a little melancholy about the Queen’s platinum anniversary. After all, it will probably be the last festival of its kind. “If you think about it, this will be the last really big opportunity to publicly celebrate and thank the Queen,” Royal historian Hugo Vickers told Page Six. “It has been an extraordinary golden age that she has reigned and things will change dramatically at some point.”
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Prince Charles’ coronation, as was recently reported in the media, is to be far less pompous than his mother’s. According to a Daily Mail insider, he and Duchess Camilla, 74, who will then become Queen Consort at the Queen’s “deep request”, are to be crowned together at a “shorter, faster, smaller, cheaper” ceremony, according to a “Daily Mail” insider.
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The 73-year-old will certainly not celebrate an anniversary like his mother. For this he wrote history at the age of four. Back then, on June 2, 1953, he was the first child to attend his mother’s coronation.
Sources used: theguardian.com, mirror.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk