At the same time, historian Robert Lacey admits that he is not a big supporter of Charles. – But he has done his best. Actually more than his best, he says. news met Robert Lacey in London while Queen Elizabeth’s health was failing and Charles was still Crown Prince. Lacey is the author of a number of books about the royal family, and was also a consultant on the script for the Netflix series The Crown. Photo: Håvard Blekastad Almås / NRKNRK met Robert Lacey in London while Queen Elizabeth’s health was failing and Charles was still Crown Prince. Lacey is the author of a number of books about the royal family, and was also a consultant on the script for the Netflix series The Crown. Photo: Håvard Blekastad Almås / news King Charles is named after Norwegian King Haakon. This is what author Tor Bomann-Larsen writes in one of his books about the first Norwegian king in modern times. Haakon was called Carl before he became king, and was married to the English princess who eventually became Norway’s Queen Maud. Carl was called Charles among the British relatives. Now the younger Charles has also become king – in Great Britain. news asked historian and royal household expert Robert Lacey about what challenges await King Charles in his role as monarch. Lack of popularity In November 2021, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla represented the British Royal Family on a visit to Jordan. Photo: Raad Adayleh / API November 2021 Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla represented the British Royal Family on a visit to Jordan. Photo: Raad Adayleh / AP Neither Charles nor Camilla have been among the most popular members of the royal house. Charles has had to see himself beaten by both his mother, his son William and his wife Kate, and also his sister Anne in popularity polls. Camilla has been even less popular. – Charles’ dilemma is this: The more popular his son William becomes and the better he does his job, the more the desire to have William as monarch grows. Robert Lacey believes that Charles’ lack of popularity is due to his relationship with Camilla being linked to the scandal surrounding Charles’ divorce from Diana. It caused major problems for the British monarchy in the 1990s. Charles has also been a controversial royal because he has become involved in political issues, and has not had as neutral a position as his mother. The sons’ enmity Princes Harry and William at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Diana in July 2021. Photo: DOMINIC LIPINSKI / AFPPrinces Harry and William at the unveiling of a statue of their mother Diana in July 2021. Photo: DOMINIC LIPINSKI / AFP The relationship between the brothers William and Harry have gone from a close friendship to a deep personal conflict in recent years. Robert Lacey believes it is unlikely that the relationship will improve anytime soon. It’s a problem for the father. – Charles’ strategy for the future monarchy was that fewer family members should have royal duties. He, and everyone else, assumed that the two sons would bear much of the responsibility. It hasn’t happened. Prince Harry has left his royal duties and moved to the United States with his wife Meghan. Many have compared it to King Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936. He chose love for American divorcee Wallis Simpson over duty, leaving the throne to Queen Elizabeth’s father. Robert Lacey thinks this is a good comparison. – The British monarchy is not in a good state as long as the royal house’s two superstars are affected by this conflict, says Lacey. But he believes that the monarchy emerged stronger from the crisis in 1936, and that the same can happen now if it is dealt with constructively. Male monarch Queen Elizabeth II and Crown Prince Charles together at the coronation in Scotland in October 2021. Photo: ANDREW MILLIGAN / AFPQueen Elizabeth II and Crown Prince Charles together at the coronation in Scotland in October 2021. Photo: ANDREW MILLIGAN / AFP The British have had a queen since 1952 .Only the very oldest remember any monarch other than Queen Elizabeth. Now a period of three kings awaits. First Charles, then William and then his son George. – We have had 70 years with a female mother figure as head of state. It was surprising in the 50s, but we have become very used to it. When we are now going to have a male monarch until the end of the century, it will change our image of a head of state, says Lacey. He also refers to the attitude in some of the 15 other countries where the British monarch is head of state. Charles’ lack of popularity there could become a problem. Lacey says that people in Australia ask him if they can’t have William rather than his father as head of state. – The Australians and Canadians are happy to vote in when “God Save the Queen” is sung, but do they want to sing “God Save the King”, asks Robert Lacey rhetorically.
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King Charles III takes over from Queen Elizabeth II – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
