Queen Elizabeth has ruled the United Kingdom for almost 70 years. She may be good and well now, but there will come a time when someone else must step up. The title should go to her son, Charles, but what does that mean for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William, and Kate?
What Will Happen To The Royal Family When Prince Charles Becomes King?
Royal Parents
On November 14th, 1948 Queen Elizabeth gave birth to, her first born, Prince Charles right inside of Buckingham Palace. His parents, Philip and Elizabeth, were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh when he came into the world.
Royal Parents
His Education
Just a year before Charles was born, Elizabeth and Philip wed. The two Royals are also parents to Prince Andrew, Princess Royal Anne, and Prince Edward. Before Charles went to Trinity College at Cambridge University he attended private school.
His Education
The Prince’s Trust
Charles made history as the first heir to the throne to receive a college degree. Young Charles also attended the Royal Naval College and the Royal Air Force College. When he was in the Royal Navy, Charles was on a tour of duty from 1971 until 1976.
The Prince’s Trust
Young Love
Charles then became heavily involved in the world of charity, later creating the Prince’s Trust in 1976. His organization helps adults and kids who face difficulties in work and in school. While his work is admirable, most of us know him better for his private endeavors.
Young Love
Their Sons
Despite his public life, many people aren’t aware that Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles dated before he met his late wife Princess Diana. Two separate biographies state the royals didn’t approve of Camilla for Charles. And so Diana comes into the picture.
Their Sons
Raising Princes
After Charles and Camilla broke up, the Prince met Diana. On July 29th, 1981 Diana and Charles wed at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The two had their first child, William, less than a year later.
Raising Princes
Splitting Up
On June 21st, 1982 Prince William was welcomed into the world. Just 2 years later on September 15th, 1984 their second son, Harry, came along. Harry and William grew up with the guidance of their mother who tried to make their lives as normal as possible. She also made sure they were aware of how privileged they were.
Splitting Up
More Rumors
Diana didn’t just hand her sons off to royal nannies, she often brought them to school and to their favorite amusement park. She also took them along on royal duties, homeless shelters and all.
More Rumors
Tragedy
It didn’t take long, however, for Charles and Diana’s marriage to fall apart. They separated in 1992 and later divorced in 1996. Prince Charles commented that his relationship with Diana was unrepairable and that he was currently dating Camilla.
Tragedy
Backlash
Diana was not new to affairs either, she was supposedly involved with British Army soldier James Hewitt. People still claim that Prince Harry is actually the son of James and not Charles.
Backlash
Starting Over Again
But, that rumor simply isn’t true seeing that Diana became involved with James Hewitt after Charles was born. All things aside, in 1997, the unthinkable happened, an accident that devastated the entire world.
Starting Over Again
His Interests
In Paris on August 31st, 1997, Princess Diana passed away in a fatal car crash. The 36-year-old was taken from the world too soon. Charles headed to France to bring her body home. He needed to make it out of the storm and also prepare for Diana’s funeral.
His Interests
Making History
Modern-day British society had never seen anything like the outpouring of condolences they received after Diana’s death. The world grieved after hearing the tragic news, and who did they blame? Charles. Some say Diana would never have been in Paris had they not divorced.
Making History
Abdicating
2 years after Diana’s death was the first time Charles was seen with another woman. Camilla and Charles attended a birthday bash at the Ritz Hotel in London in the year 1999. It looked as if they had begun a relationship.
Abdicating
Next In Line
In February 2005 the world found out that Charles and Camilla were engaged. Just 2 months later, the pair married in a civil ceremony and Camilla was named Duchess of Cornwall. However, there is more to Prince Charles than his affairs.
Next In Line
A Taboo
Throughout his life Charles has carried out duties for the commonwealth as well as the royal family. His charity focus has been on youth, education and the environment.
A Taboo
Not To Offend
Prince Charles also has other interests, including architecture. Had he not made one fateful decision many years ago, Charles would not have been in line for the throne. Who would have taken his spot?
Not To Offend
Her Role
In 1936, King George V took over the throne after his father Edward VIII died. King George became interested in an American divorcee by the name of Wallis Simpson, but he wasn’t allowed to pursue his desires. The Church of England and the British government decided the King would not marry this woman.
Her Role
Speculations
According to royal rules, a divorcee is not a fitting wife. Can you believe that Edward abdicated the throne! He ruled for less than a year before stepping down. He said, “I have found it impossible to carry on the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge the duties of king, as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love.”
Speculations
Changing Times
This now meant that his younger brother would take the throne. King George VI then became the Duke of York. Edward and his love Wallis tied the knot just one year later and then something big happened that still follows the family.
Changing Times
Reigning Monarch
The royal family still sees divorce as a huge deal- a much bigger deal than the average person. When Charles and Camilla married, it is important to note that, Queen Elizabeth did not attend the religious part of the ceremony.
Reigning Monarch
Shocking Development
Some say the Queen simply didn’t want to see her son marry again, but other rumors claim a different reason. It is widely believed that the Queen didn’t want people to believe she would put her son over the Church of England’s beliefs.
Shocking Development
Unexpected
While the Church of England may not forbid remarriage and divorce, it is still frowned upon. In 2005, an anonymous “friend of the Queen” said that Queen Elizabeth II said, “I am not able to go. I do not feel that my position permits it.” The source also said, “The Queen feels she has to put her role with the Church before her role as a mother.”
Unexpected
Record Holders
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to wed in 2018, divorce came up once more. You see, Meghan had been previously married to Trevor Engelson, a Hollywood producer.
Record Holders
Heir Apparent
Many people wondered if the Queen would attend Harry’s wedding ceremony. Grant Harrold, a Royal butler said, “Prince Charles’ wedding was 13 years ago, [and] times have changed. It could be a change of heart… You have the unfortunate Edward and Wallace Simpson episode, and 70 years later nobody blinks an eyelid.”
Heir Apparent
Public Opinion
Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI, became King over 80 years ago, but it should be said that a lot has changed since then. Things would have been a whole lot different had King George VI remained King.
Public Opinion
What Diana Said
When King George VI became King, Queen Elizabeth was only 10. Her sister Margaret was just 6 years old, meaning Elizabeth would someday take over the throne. At just 25 years old, Elizabeth’s father passed away and she became Queen of England.
What Diana Said
Her Response
Elizabeth was quite surprised when this happened. Although her father was sick for quite some time, his death completely blindsided her. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were in Kenya when the news broke.
Her Response
Her Opinion
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had been in Aberdare National Park at the Treetops Hotel. Time commented that Elizabeth talked about how her father would have loved it there. The same source said she was “in high spirits over her ‘tremendous experience’ and vowed to come again soon with her father.”
Her Opinion
Preparing Him
A BBC reporter also said that Elizabeth was “talking about her father and proudly describing how bravely he’d stood up to his illness.” Anyhow, Elizabeth went on to become Queen. This obviously meant that her son Charles was the next in line to rule.
Preparing Him
London Bridge
Elizabeth became Queen when Charles was just 3 years old. Since Queen Elizabeth is the longest reigner in British history, Charles is the longest-serving heir. This administration holds a lot of records! Can you believe Charles turned 71 in November 2019; he has been heir to the throne for 68 years…and counting.
London Bridge
RATS
Charles holds another record as the oldest heir in history. When Charles finally becomes King, he will be the oldest monarch ever. William IV held this record before Charles took the cake.
RATS
What To Do
William IV became King in 1830 when he was 65 years old. Some believe that because of Prince Charles’ age, he will abdicate the throne and give the title to his son William instead. We’ll just have to wait and see.
What To Do
Showing Respect
According to the British population, this is a likely outcome. StatistaCharts conducted a survey and recorded that half of the UK wish to see William take over instead of his father.
Showing Respect
The Proceedings
Diana allegedly had mixed feelings about Charles becoming King as well. This isn’t too surprising to hear seeing that their divorce didn’t end too well. Diana spoke on this very topic when she appeared on Panorama in 1995.
The Proceedings
His Name
Journalist Martin Bashir asked Diana, “Do you think the Prince of Wales will ever be king?” The Princess answered, “I don’t think any of us know the answer to that. There was always conflict on that subject with [Charles] when we discussed it, and I understood that conflict. Because it’s a very demanding role, being Prince of Wales, but it’s an equally more demanding role being king.”
His Name
Her Title
She added, “Being Prince of Wales produces more freedom now, and being king would be a little bit more suffocating. And because I know the character, I would think that the top job, as I call it, would bring enormous limitations to him – and I don’t know whether he could adapt to that.”
Her Title
Popular Opinion
Despite all of the rumors, Prince Charles plans to become King when it’s his time. Queen Elizababeth has already began preparing her son for the position. Charles has taken on many more responsibilities as of late.
Popular Opinion
Title After Title
On Remembrance Day, Charles puts a wreath instead of the Queen, this has been going on for a few years now. When Queen Elizabeth passes away, what will happen? The Royals have been planning for this day for some time now; there is already a series of plans.
Title After Title
Prince Of Wales
Operation London Bridge is the name of the supposed plan. The news of her death would be passed around by word of mouth using the single phrase: “London Bridge is down.” With technology today, however, we think it’ll get around in other ways.
Prince Of Wales
Appointed
The Guardian claims that, the British public servic broadcaster, BBC will hear of Queen Elizabeth’s death first. They will eceive the news through RATS, a Radio Alert Transmission System.
Appointed
Duchy Of Cornwall
Another unofficial meaning of RATS is “royal about to snuff it”. The royal secretary of the Queen, Sir Christopher Geid is supposed to tell the UK’s prime minister of her passing before the public finds out.
Duchy Of Cornwall
His Salary
The Prime Minister is in charge of telling 15 countries under the rule of the monarchy, and 36 of the Commonwealth nations. When the news gets out, pilots must announce the Queen’s death during flights.
His Salary
Changes
Flags will be put at half-mast and the people in the UK will get the day off of work. On the day of the burial, banks and stock exchanges will most likely be closed. This is all to honor and show respect for the Royal highness.
Changes
Marriages
Other signs and symbols of respect will be exhibited throughout the country as well. When George VI passed away, the BBC didn’t air any comedic shows until the funeral was concluded. It is likely that the same will be done for the Queen. She will rest outside of Westminster Hall for 4 days after her passing before the funeral so that the public can mourn the loss.
Marriages
New Titles
The Queen will be buried at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle alongside her parents. Her funeral and coronation day will probably be public holidays as well. This allows the public to mourn their beloved Queen.
New Titles
Not Necessarily A Prince
Charles automatically becomes the King and will release a public statement the day she dies. He will then choose between the names Philip, Arthur and George. These are his given names and he must choose one of these for his reign.
Not Necessarily A Prince
Proclaimed
Or, he could just be called King Charles III. His wife Camilla also has the possibility to become a Queen. Many believe she shouldn’t be given the title of Queen and so, there’s a big debate surrounding Camilla’s title.
Proclaimed
Gender Equality
Biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People, “It was obviously fudged when [Charles and Camilla] got married. Diana was so uppermost in many people’s minds. So, they concocted the notion of a Princess Consort, which is made up.”
Gender Equality