The coronation of Charles III. is imminent – but the youth seem to be losing interest in the monarchy. Image: PA Wire / Andrew Milligan
Analyse
The British monarchy has a tradition going back centuries. The royal family belongs to England like “Afternoon Tea”, Big Ben and the Beatles. The Brits have apparently fallen for the royal family, even after numerous scandals in the British royal family. Elizabeth II was the Queen for 70 years – now her son, Charles III, follows.
The Coronation Ceremony of King Charles III. will take place on May 6, 2023.Bild: AP POOL / Alastair Grant
Can he convince the people of the country like his mother once did? The British monarchy is losing more and more approval, especially among the young population, as surveys show.
A big challenge for Charles, says Anthony Glees from the University of Buckingham when asked by watson. Above all, the “Megxit”, the quarrel with Harry and Meghan, should make life difficult for Charles, says the political scientist and contemporary historian.
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Young Brits are apparently losing their taste for the monarchy
In autumn 2022, for example, a survey by the opinion research institute “YouGov“that only 33 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds support the monarchy. For comparison: 86 percent of Britons aged 65 and over voted to retain the royal family. According to Glees, the reason for this development is the miserable situation in which Great Britain finds itself Young people in particular would feel the consequences.
As an example, the Briton cites the catastrophic effects of Brexit, which the majority of young voters voted against. “The massive increase in the cost of living, the endless strikes, the climate crisis,” the expert also lists.
The 74-year-old King Charles is definitely committed to environmental issues. But in the end, Glees says, it won’t be enough to get the youth involved.
Aristocratic climate king of a multi-ethnic Britain
“It’s obvious that he’s trying to stand up for what he sees as the values of young Britons,” says Glees. He wants to stand for a Great Britain that follows the idea of sustainability, which he has been campaigning for for 50 years.
During his trip to Germany, Charles visited a cheese dairy in the eco-village of Brodowin in Brandenburg.Image: dpa-POOL / Jens Büttner
In addition, his coronation will emphasize ethnic diversity and his desire to rule over a multi-ethnic, multi-religious Britain “that is – theoretically – blind to class, race, gender,” says Glees. But in the end Charles was and will remain an aristocrat. “He represents an aristocratic Britain, which in reality is completely at odds with these values,” says the British expert.
The new king believed in “breeding” and the customs of the aristocracy. This is reflected in his coronation, according to Glees: he invites Camilla’s first husband to the coronation, has himself and his wife anointed with holy oil, sits in the royal golden carriage, and uses symbolic possessions. For example, Charles receives golden spurs to represent the tradition of chivalry.
With Charles’ coronation, Camilla becomes queen. Their earlier affair caused a sensation around the world at the time.Image: PA Wire / Stefan Rousseau
“Even by making Camilla crowned queen, he’s showing that he’s invoking his age-old rights, ‘By God and my Right,'” says Glees. The British youth have not much interest in the affair with Camilla and the associated suffering for Diana. But: Lady Di was younger than both and was in a way the representative of the youth.
Charles’ age could cause problems for him
According to the expert, Charles’ age is not unproblematic. He says:
“When Elizabeth was crowned in 1953 she was very young and nobody knew what her values and beliefs were. Her coronation could be taken as a sign that Britain was young and modern and wanted to change. It coincided with the introduction of television, the end of the war and the rise of youth culture.”
The coronation of Elizabeth II took place in June 1953 at Westminster Abbey in London. She was 25 years old.Bild: IMAGO/UIG / imago images
But everyone knows about Charles. For 50 years, the British have been able to form an opinion about him. He was unable to establish a close relationship with the people in the country. According to Glees, Charles has never been a ‘man of the people’, but very aloof.
“He’s unbelievably rich, owns many houses, while young people can’t even find a place to rent,” the expert explains. There is a “critical mismatch” here and it is difficult to imagine how it could be resolved. The expert is certain: in the end, the monarchy will no longer be accepted, let alone seen as relevant.
Expensive parades and outrageously expensive jewelry, the royal family strictly follows a royal protocol, on which a meter of dust has probably already accumulated. The Palace – with all its antiquated, conservative procedures and regulations – should anathema to many a liberal thinker. Apparently, this is how the free spirits Harry and Meghan fled.
Harry and Meghan have left the royal family and are looking for happiness in the USA.Bild: IMAGO/Kirchner-Media / Christopher Neundorf
Harry and Meghan make life difficult for King Charles
There was great hope that Harry and Meghan would bring fresh wind into the creaking old palace walls – but a tornado followed, which ended in the so-called “Megxit”. The two left the royal family for sunny, liberal California. According to Glees, Harry and Meghan are adding to Charles’ problems.
Is said:
“He wants peace in his family, but Harry and Meghan continue to attack the House of Windsor, targeting Camilla, Charles and particularly William and Kate, who play an important role in bringing the monarchy to young Britons.”
Kate and William should inspire the young Britons for the monarchy. Bild: PA Wire / James Manning
Polls show that British approval for Harry and Meghan is now also falling, for example due to their scandalous interview with Oprah Winfrey. Or her Netflix documentary, which gives deep insights into her private life.
But according to Glees’ experience, many young people are still more “Team Meghan and Harry” and believe that Charles and William are racist.
This is a “terrible burden” for the king and a complex problem that he must solve if the monarchy is to survive. Glee explains:
“The coronation will show that Charles is trying to win over the youth without alienating the elderly or the aristocracy. But in the coming months and years he will need to be Superman to achieve his goal.”
If the UK were thriving if there hadn’t been Brexit, Charles might have attracted young people with his ecological credentials as a “trendy” and modern grandfather, says the expert. But Great Britain is “broken”, in disarray and in an awkward position. Charles is now embracing this legacy as British head of state.
