Charles will have to show both compassion and restraint as the new King of England

The accession of Charles III is a paradox. It does, as has been mentioned, represent something of a turning point. Things will be different.

The face of the monarchy after more than 70 years is literally changing – even though the ruddy features of the former Prince of Wales, as seen in his first televised address, are highly familiar. The coins, the bank notes and the stamps will look different. In due course, the Royal Mail vans and the badges worn by police and the armed forces will bear a new royal cypher: C III R. The senior barristers are now KCs. We will now ask the Almighty to save the King. There will be a new personality delivering the homily on Christmas Day. And so on...

There will be other changes to the institution of the monarchy itself. As far as can be judged from the King’s remarks in the past, and briefings from his office, this 73-year-old veteran of public life is set on modernisation. There will be some slimming down of personnel. There will be fewer “working” royals, and they will be made better use of – a productivity boost is overdue.

The cost of the monarchy will be reviewed, though a full “nationalisation” of the institution required by democratic transparency and accountability is unlikely. The next coronation – the first in 70 years and only the third within a century – will be a scaled-back affair.

The King seems to have stepped back from his past ambition to style himself “Defender of Faith”, but his approach will reflect his mother’s faith in faith, so to speak, and he will probably strive to be even more inclusive, reflecting the ever-more dynamic nature of his multicultural kingdom.

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In his first speech, he indicated he was fully aware of the challenges he will face, promising “to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation”.

“Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life,” he promised.

He acknowledged that he will need to step back in some ways from his causes. “But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others,” he said.

The King has many challenges ahead, and he does not need to be dragged into any of the “culture wars” that break out these days. This should be fresh in his mind after the reaction to his (entirely private) remarks about the government’s “appalling” plan to deport refugees to Rwanda. On balance, as Prince of Wales he did more good than harm. But now, even his thoughts about modern architecture will have to be determinedly anodyne. (In any case, the public can make a shrewd guess as to his views on newly constructed carbuncles.)

He should also be acutely conscious of the financial difficulties faced by so many families and businesses, and respond accordingly. The late Queen is a hard act to follow, but, then again, so was her late father, George VI, in his turn. She, in her twenties, had to learn fast and find her own way to do the job, and grew into it. In his seventies, so too will her son. We wish him and his wife well in the years ahead.