Though I have never met him in person, I have rather admired Charles from afar. Smiles and laughter come readily to him and he clearly enjoys meeting other people, listening to their stories with the same kindness and genuine interest that his mother showed throughout her reign. He never seems condescending.
Charles has always been interested in architecture and design and he was vocal about climate change and the environment long before that became fashionable. In the past, he was often dismissed as being rather eccentric or wacky - someone who hugged trees and talked to the plants in his garden but this was arguably just further evidence of his deep affection for the natural world.
Yes. It is his coronation tomorrow and the London police force have never before prepared such a comprehensive security web involving thousands of officers from all over the country
It will be an enormous challenge because the world of 2023 is much different from 1953. No matter how much planning is done and how many police officers are involved, there is always the possibility of some sort of terrorist outrage so that the day will forever be remembered for that rather than the pageantry of this special moment in our nation's history.
I sincerely hope that the day goes off without serious incident and that King Charles III is crowned in style. Though I don't believe in God and I don't much approve of monarchs either, I will still wish him well and say...
His outspoken support of homeopathic remedies has always bothered me in that there is neither logic nor studies supporting them. And quite frankly, he was definitely old enough when he married Diana to know that this would not end well and that he was taking advantage of very, very young innocent woman. But he is not my monarch and god know that the leaders of my own country have far less to support them Charles's does. Yes. God save the king and when saying that let me admit that I do not believe in a god or the monarchy. But this is not my country to criticize.
ReplyDeleteHomeopathy is not something I have ever considered before so I have just had to scoot off to find out about it. It does seem like a waste of time. Sadly, some marriages do not work out and so it was with Diana Spencer and Charles. However, I would like to believe that they both entered that marriage with hope for the future but gradually they grew apart and Charles's past relationship with Camilla was not the only reason. By the way, Diana Spencer was an adult when she met and married Charles.
DeleteI'm not a monarchist and I don't believe in any god, either, but I do wish Charles well. Imagine training for a job for that many years. He certainly won't be IN the job for that long, and that's kind of sad, I think.
ReplyDeleteJudging by how long his parents lived he could be doing it for twenty years.
DeleteMost people alive today have always only known one sovereign formthe UK, Queen Elizabeth II. Even if nothing else, that historical once-in-a-lifetime event makes it remarkable. Charles will remain king for the rest of his life, and it is not unlikely that we won‘t see another coronation in England in our lifetimes.
ReplyDeleteMany of us make mistakes, fail in our marriages or take questionable decisions. But not many have to do it all under the glaring lights of public scrutiny, where every minimal detail is blown up out of proportion.
I don‘t envy Charles (or Camilla), but he comes across as a decent man, well read and with a wide range of interest. From what is possible to see from afar, I would also say that he made a decent father and did not let the end of his marriage destroy his relationship with his sons.
Your assessment is I think characteristically thoughtful and fair.
DeleteIt's the Big Day here already and mostly over. The newspapers have pages and pages about Charles and the TV is focused on him too. I'm happy for him and Camilla, but I'll be glad when it is over.
ReplyDeleteI bet Charles and Camilla will be happy it's over too. They can relax a little now.
DeleteHe is a good man but following the Queen is a hard act. I have always admired his green credentials and his interest in architecture. I wish them both well, the baggage of past history should be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteAs far as kings and queens go, I think we are lucky to have Charles. He's a good 'un.
DeleteMonarchy is not without problems, but we need a head of state, and if elected then what powers would they have? The monarchy is also good for publicity and tourism. I wouldn't want the job.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly, Tasker
DeleteDon't worry Tasker, there's no chance of you being promoted to king because you are 52,374,213th in line to the throne. JayCee, I am sorry to say that as a resident of The Isle of Man you are even further down the pecking order.
DeleteI have been watching from afar this morning
ReplyDeleteIt must have been the very early morning for you Lord Penguin!
DeleteThe Coronation is now over and I've switched the TV off.
ReplyDeleteMixed feelings about the actual event itself - sometimes I felt that those officiating were hanging around wondering what to do next, but maybe I'm over critical, and based on vague memories of the last Coronation. Somehow I felt slightly underwhelmed by the service - it was certainly low-key. Perhaps I missed Richard Dimbleby commenting and injecting that special brand of reverence only he could! However, in spite of the awful weather, the sheer pageantry of the procession was spectacular - something Britain can do better than anyone else. The crowds along the route and in the Mall made a mockery of the media comments that the Monarchy is no longer popular.
Intelligent reflections from an Englishwoman in exile. What did you do wrong to be sentenced to a life in Spain?
DeleteNothing - just choosing to retire to a warmer climate! As a chronic arthritis sufferer, at least two thirds of the year are easier to bear.
DeleteSorry to hear about your arthritis Carol. I am grateful that I do not suffer from that condition. One of God's nastier creations.
DeleteI am glad the event came off smoothly. I like Charles too, and I'm glad he and Camilla were finally able to be together. I wonder if she ever envisioned herself on the throne? What twists and turns life takes!
ReplyDeleteThey were soulmates even when they were teenagers. At the time of their first marriages I imagine they thought they could blank out their feelings for each other. I firmly believe that Charles wanted his marriage to Diana to endure but in the end he had to admit that it was dying away. Intellectually they were badly matched.
DeleteI found the whole thing all rather moving
ReplyDeleteCharles was ahead of his time. I think he's a decent bloke and should make a good king
ReplyDelete