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Will Charles become King Charles? When Charles succeeds his mother as the monarch, there is a chance that he may not become King Charles III, as it’s not unusual for royals to take another name when they ascend the throne.
He is free to choose his own regnal title and may select another from his full given name — Charles Philip Arthur George — or chose an entirely different name. The queen’s own father, whose given name was Albert, chose to be crowned King George VI in 1936 when he took the throne.
The King Charles moniker also has a charged history. King Charle I ascended the throne in 1625, but his clashes with Parliament eventually led to the English Civil War, and he was ultimately executed by beheading in 1649.
King Charles II was a child when that war began. When his father was executed seven years later, he was declared king by the Scottish before eventually fleeing to France in exile. He was invited back to London in 1660 and restored to his father’s throne, reigning until 1685.
While the spouse of the king automatically becomes queen, there had for years been speculation that Prince Charles’s wife, Camilla, might not assume that title. But this year, Queen Elizabeth, in a letter to mark 70 years since her accession, said that Charles’s wife should become the queen consort when he takes the throne, putting to rest years of speculation about Camilla’s future status.
Royal watchers saw it as an official stamp of approval of their union, as well as an effort to smooth the path for Prince Charles’s own journey to the throne.
What Will Happen When Prince Charles Becomes King?
Unlike his mother, who unexpectedly became queen at just 25 years old when her father, King George VI, died suddenly, 73-year-old Prince Charles has spent his entire life in preparation to wear the crown. Here are some other things you didn’t know about Prince Charles: He’s the longest-waiting heir apparent, and he will be the oldest British monarch to ever take the throne—and it’s still uncertain when that will happen. Although Queen Elizabeth II is 95 years old and the longest-reigning British monarch, longevity runs in her family: Her father may have died young, but her mother lived to the age of 101.
If the Queen is incapacitated, Prince Charles will become Prince Regent
In the event that the Queen cannot actually act as queen, such as in the case of severe illness of mind or body, a regency with Prince Charles as Prince Regent would be formed. According to the Constitution Unit of the University College London’s (UCL) School of Public Policy, medical evidence is required, and three people out of the following have to agree to declare the sovereign is incapacitated: the Queen’s consort (which was her husband, Prince Philip, who passed in April 2021), the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lord Chief Justice, and the Master of the Rolls.
But this isn’t the most probable scenario. Instead, what will likely happen as the Queen ages? “The Queen will retain her title and certain royal duties, while her son, the Prince of Wales, assumes a greater number of her public engagements and increased decision-making power behind the scenes,” says Carolyn Harris, PhD, historian and author of Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting. “The Prince of Wales already undertakes overseas travel to the Commonwealth on the Queen’s behalf, and in the coming years, he will assume more of the Queen’s duties in the United Kingdom.”
Upon Queen Elizabeth’s death, Prince Charles will immediately become king
So in all probability, the Queen will retain the crown until she passes. Here’s what will happen when Queen Elizabeth dies: At the moment of her death, Prince Charles will become king. An “Accession Council,” consisting of the group of advisors to the sovereign known as the Privy Council, will convene at St. James’s Palace in London to formally recognize the transition and proclaim Charles as the monarch. The King will then take an oath to, interestingly enough, preserve the Church of Scotland (this is because the sovereign is only the head of the Church of England, not the Presbyterian Church of Scotland). Parliament will then be recalled for its members to take oaths of allegiance.
Prince Charles might not be King Charles
“Charles” was an interesting choice for Queen Elizabeth to name her future heir, because the first two King Charleses are associated with the 17th-century English Civil War, when the monarchy was ousted for the first and only time in British history. Charles I was beheaded, although Charles II was eventually restored to the throne and well-liked. In another notable decision, Elizabeth kept her given name when she became Queen, which was unusual: Most other British monarchs change their names upon taking the throne. Queen Victoria’s first name was Alexandrina, for example.
That said, “the Prince of Wales has been known by the public as Prince Charles for his whole life, so it is certainly possible that he will retain Charles as his regnal name as King,” Harris says, making him King Charles III. “Charles also has the option of choosing one of his middle names. If he were to choose George, he would be George VII, with his grandson Prince George of Cambridge likely to eventually become George VIII.” Whatever Prince Charles decides, the choice will be his own. The royal family has evolved since the end of Charles’ first marriage. We spoke to a body-language expert who analyzed photos of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and revealed the signs the doomed couple had been sending for years.
Charles may change one of his titles
His first name may not be the only part of his title Prince Charles changes when he becomes king. The full title of the current sovereign is “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.” That’s a mouthful, but there’s one part of it—one little word, actually—that Charles has an issue with. “Prince Charles has taken a strong interest in interfaith dialog, and there has been speculation that he would prefer the title of Defender of Faiths (or Faith) rather than Defender of the Faith,” Harris says.
Charles has since rolled back his initial statements on the wording, though. “I said I would rather be seen as Defender of Faith all those years ago because…I mind about the inclusion of other people’s faiths and their freedom to worship in this country,” he told the BBC. “And it always seems to me that while at the same time being defender of the faith you can also be protector of faiths.” Charles does have a say in the wording, UCL says, so we’ll have to wait until his coronation to see what he finally settles on. Here’s more on how the most famous royals got their titles.
The coronation may be different
Speaking of the coronation, which, as Harris says, is a religious ceremony, Prince Charles may engage in this ritual as well. The ceremony is traditionally presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey, and takes place several months after the last monarch’s death to allow for a period of mourning. In the service, the new sovereign takes the coronation oath (which includes a promise to maintain the Church of England) and is “anointed, blessed, and consecrated by the Archbishop,” the royal family’s official website says.
But what about Charles’? “The coronation will continue to be an Anglican service, but finding a place for other Christian denominations and other religions, as happened at the royal wedding [of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle],” UCL’s Constitution Unit says. “Such people may be invited to give readings; and religious leaders other than Anglicans are likely to be seated prominently, as happened at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee service at St. Paul’s in 2012.”
Charles will likely be a more outspoken monarch
The sovereign is supposed to be above politics, but Prince Charles is actually somewhat of a rebel in his tendency to express his views on social and environmental issues. “In contrast to the Queen, who is careful to avoid expressing strong opinions in public—and instead encourages the people she meets at garden parties, receptions, and walkabouts to speak about their own experiences—Charles is known to hold firm opinions on a variety of subjects, including organic farming, architecture, and sustainable development,” Harris says. “Climate change and environmental conservation are key political issues in the 21st century, and Charles will certainly not be seen as an impartial figure on these subjects, as his views are well-known.”
The monarchy may shrink
Another change the Prince of Wales reportedly will institute that has had royal watchers buzzing: He may trim down the monarchy in terms of the number of royals actively carrying out official responsibilities. “Prince Charles favors a more streamlined royal family with fewer people undertaking public duties,” Harris says. “In the Queen’s reign, her cousins the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Alexandra undertake public duties, and the entire extended family gathers for pre-Christmas lunch and at Trooping the Color in June. In Charles’s reign, there will be a strong focus on the monarch’s immediate family—his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren—and less of a public role for the extended royal family.” Yes, the royals do work: Here’s what the British royal family actually does.
BREAKING: Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch whose rule spanned seven decades, died on Thursday at the age of 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, on the death of her father, King George VI. She oversaw the last throes of the British empire, weathered global upheaval and domestic scandal, and dramatically modernized the monarchy.
She died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after doctors said they had become concerned about her health on Thursday.
Elizabeth ruled over the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms, and became one of the most recognizable women ever to have lived. Her son, Charles, immediately became King upon her death.
Prince Harry is traveling to Scotland from London, a UK news agency says
Prince Harry is traveling to Balmoral from London, according to the UK’s PA Media news agency.
The Duke of Sussex was originally scheduled to attend the WellChild Awards in London on Thursday, which celebrates the inspirational qualities of seriously ill children and young people in the United Kingdom.
Harry canceled an appearance at the charity awards ceremony in London to fly to Scotland in the wake of fellow royals who have also travelled to Aberdeenshire, PA reported.
He is on his way to Balmoral separately from other royals but has been in coordination with other family members’ plans, a spokesperson for the Sussexes told CNN earlier on Thursday.
Royal family likely waiting for Prince Harry to arrive before any announcements are made, CNN reporter says
Prince Harry is still en route to Balmoral Castle, CNN royal correspondent Max Foster reports, and the family is likely waiting for him to arrive before any announcements on Queen Elizabeth II are made.
Prince Harry is traveling to Balmoral from London, according to UK’s PA Media news agency.
“We know Prince William’s arrived as well. I think we are only waiting on Prince Harry. We’re relying on local photographers here because you know this has only just happened and they’ve been based up there so we’re waiting to see images come through,” Foster said on CNN. “I think once Prince Harry is in there, whilst he’s not a working role but he’s still a senior member, still very high up in the line of succession. I think they want him there before any announcements were made. It would seem dismissive I think if the announcements were made before they were all inside behind those gates at Balmoral Castle. And then you need a bit of time for them to regroup a well.”
Foster also described the family’s rushed arrival to Balmoral Castle in Scotland earlier Thursday to be with Queen Elizabeth II as news of her declining health broke.
“They normally travel separately. They are all in one car. Their faces are stark. Prince Andrew in the front very close to the Queen and Prince Edward also increasingly close to the Queen in recent years because he has been taking on more and more responsibilities and you know we just have to look at those faces and try to read what we can into them and they are all in the same car and they didn’t have to be. It feels to me like they… rushed to get there as quickly as possible and this was the most efficient way,” Foster said in reference to a photo of members of the Royal family arriving at the castle.
The Queen’s well-wishers gather outside Buckingham Palace
Dozens of onlookers, tourists and well-wishers of Queen Elizabeth II gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London on Thursday following the news that the monarch was under medical supervision.
Many people have also gathered near the Queen Victoria Memorial, across from the Palace. Others are staring through the gates.
The Queen is not currently in her London residence — the Palace said in a statement earlier on Thursday that she “remains comfortable and at Balmoral” castle in Scotland.
The rain and gray skies did little to stop London tour guide Nicholas Player, 41, from visiting the palace once he finished work.
He described the news of the Queen’s ill health as “sad” but told CNN he had every hope she would recover.
“She is part of everyone’s life; she’s bridged the gap between many age groups,” he said as he held an umbrella with a Union Jack design.
“(She’s) the grandmother of the nation, really, and I don’t think there’s one person who really doesn’t like her,” he added.
Photo shows Prince William driving Andrew, Edward and Sophie into Balmoral
Prince William has been photographed driving the Queen’s sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, along with Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, into Balmoral Castle.
The group of royals entered the estate moments ago after traveling to Scotland to be with the Queen.
Fleet of cars believed to be carrying Prince William and other royals arrived at Balmoral, UK media says
A convoy of vehicles containing Prince William and other members of the royal family has driven into Balmoral Castle through the main gate, per live visuals and UK media.
“A fleet of cars believed to be carrying the Duke of Cambridge, Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived at Balmoral just after 5pm. The plane carrying the royal party had arrived at Aberdeen Airport just before 4pm,” according to the UK’s PA Media news agency.
Prince Harry is also on his way to the castle, a spokesperson for the Sussexes told CNN.
Biden conveyed thoughts regarding the Queen’s health to UK PM Liz Truss, US official says
From CNN’s Betsy Klein
US President Joe Biden has been briefed on news that Queen Elizabeth II’s doctors are concerned for her health as members of the Royal Family travel to Balmoral, Scotland, and conveyed well wishes to British Prime Minister Liz Truss during a call Thursday.
“The President has been briefed, of course, this morning and will be updated throughout the day concerning news out of the United Kingdom,” John Kirby, the National Security Council director for strategic communications, told reporters Thursday.
“His and the first lady’s thoughts are solidly and squarely with the Queen today and her family,” Kirby said.
Biden, Kirby added, “did convey to Prime Minister Truss, who was on the video teleconference (with allies and partners regarding Ukraine) that he and Dr. Biden are thinking very much about the Queen and the family and the people of the United Kingdom.”
The spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has also voiced the UN chief’s thoughts to the British royals.
“I think we’re all following the developing story in the United Kingdom, and I just want to say from the secretary general’s point of view, that his thoughts are with the Queen, her family, and the people of the United Kingdom at this time,” UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said.
Prince Harry is en route to Balmoral separately from other royals
From CNN’s Sugam Pokharel
Prince Harry is on his way to Balmoral separately from other royals, but has been in coordination with other family members’ plans, a spokesperson for the Sussexes told CNN.
Clarification: Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is not traveling to Balmoral with Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, a spokesperson for the Sussexes clarified in a note to CNN. It is not clear if Meghan will potentially join at a later date.
UK PM Liz Truss does not currently have plans to travel to Scotland on Thursday or Friday
There are no plans currently for UK Prime Minister Liz Truss to travel to Scotland on Thursday or Friday, UK’s PA Media news agency reported citing a Downing Street spokesperson.
Canadian prime minister sends well wishes to Queen and royal family
From CNN’s Xiaofei Xu and Natacha Bracken in Paris
Canadians are keeping Queen Elizabeth in their thoughts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet on Thursday.
My thoughts, and the thoughts of Canadians across the country, are with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at this time. We’re wishing her well, and sending our best to the Royal Family.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada and Canada’s head of state, and the “personal embodiment of the Crown in Canada,” according to the Canadian government’s website.
