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Charles shows signs of being an open and informal King

Since the death of the Queen on Thursday, he has already met members of the public in two walkabouts at Buckingham Palace.

Catherine Wylie
Sunday 11 September 2022 21:45 EDT
Charlesā€™s style is set to be one that focuses on interaction with the public (PA)
Charlesā€™s style is set to be one that focuses on interaction with the public (PA) (PA Wire)

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He is the King destined to be seen as an open and informal monarch, with kisses from members of the public and an ease with speaking from the heart.

Charles has always looked comfortable during a walkabout, chatting to people with a story to tell or those simply eager to meet a prince and heir to the throne.

Now the man who has been a king-in-waiting for decades will be keen to settle into his reign and make the role his own.

There are already signs that Charlesā€™s style will be one that focuses on interaction with the public and does not shy away from emotion.

Since the Queenā€™s death on Thursday, he has greeted well-wishers on a walkabout outside Buckingham Palace on two occasions ā€“ on his arrival at the palace on Friday with the Queen Consort, and then again on Saturday evening.

Fridayā€™s walkabout was his first encounter with the public as their King and crowds were delighted to see the new monarch in the flesh.

One woman leaned over to kiss Charlesā€™s right hand and another kissed him on the cheek as he thanked people for their good wishes, shaking countless hands after stepping out of his vehicle in front of the palace.

The Kingā€™s address to the nation, televised on Friday evening, saw Charles reflect lovingly on his ā€œdarling mamaā€.

The speech moved viewers, with people describing it as ā€œheartfeltā€ and ā€œpersonalā€, while his mention of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was met with approval.

He referenced his love for Harry and Meghan, saying: ā€œI want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.ā€

Meanwhile, former prime minister Gordon Brown said he believes the new sovereign will bring in a more informal, Scandinavian-style monarchy in the years ahead.

ā€œI think that what Prince Charles has already indicated is that the monarchy is going to be smaller,ā€ he told the BBCā€™s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme.

ā€œItā€™s going to be more like a Scandinavian monarchy in the future, but not in a bad way ā€“ more informal.

ā€œHe stopped as he entered Buckingham Palace and talked to people in the crowd, and that was a signal that he was sending that he wanted people to feel that he was approachable.ā€

Elsewhere, the Archbishop of Canterbury said Charles has the ability to bring ā€œhealingā€ to people just as his late mother did.

Justin Welby, delivering a sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday morning, said those who met the Queen were ā€œalways struck by her ability to make them feel as though they were the most important, the only person in the room, the only person in the street, in the crowdā€.

He continued: ā€œKing Charles III has the same ability to see the value of each person as God sees them.

ā€œThat is his conscious understanding of people.ā€

Mr Welby recalled seeing Charles work his way around the Lady Chapel in Liverpool Cathedral, where there were families of police officers who had died.

He said Charles spoke to an officerā€™s young widow, adding: ā€œBy the time the then-prince of Wales ā€“ His Majesty ā€“ had done the rounds, heā€™d talked to everyone in that chapel and every person there, and I quote that young widow, felt they mattered uniquely and found healing.ā€

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