Britain has now completed a whole year without its beloved Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 8th September 2022 in Balmoral Castle. Since then, the world has seen King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s glorious coronation and they have taken the reigns of the kingdom in their hands, and deservingly so. The Queen’s last official pictures with the then PM Liz Truss, two days before the monarch’s demise will always stay with us. More importantly, right after her demise, Britain saw the rise of the first Prime Minister of Indian origin Rishi Sunak who took over in October 2022.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are due to visit St Davids Cathedral to commemorate the life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her passing. The Prince and Princess of Wales will also visit the Câr-Y-Môr Seaweed Farm – the first ‘regenerative ocean farm’ in Wales and a key partner of Notpla, the sustainable packaging start-up and winner of the 2022 Earthshot Prize for ‘Build a Waste-Free World’. Finally, The Prince and Princess of Wales will visit the RNLI Lifeboat Station at St Davids where they will meet crew, volunteers and those who have been supported by their local unit.
First Prime Ministerial visit to the castle
Last Sunday, PM Rishi Sunak continued a royal tradition by joining the King for Sunday church service at Crathie Kirk parish church near Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands, just before Parliament resumed on Monday. This marked the first Prime Ministerial visit to the castle since Liz Truss, shortly before Queen Elizabeth II's passing. Boris Johnson and Carrie visited the estate the previous year. This event was a rarity, with the last Prime Minister attending church with a monarch at Balmoral at least five years ago. Sunak's visit came before his trip to India for the G20 summit, arriving in a black Range Rover with security.
Monarchy at crossroads
The British monarchy finds itself at a crossroads, facing a series of challenges that have become increasingly apparent since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Two recent incidents have underscored the monarchy's dilemma. First, the presence of Prince Andrew, a controversial figure, alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales raised questions about his future role within the royal family. Is he being reintegrated or facing permanent exile?
Strained relations with Prince Harry
Prince Harry's ongoing estrangement from the family continues to strain relations within the House of Windsor. His latest project, a Netflix series titled "Heart of Invictus," criticises the lack of support he received upon returning from his military service in Afghanistan. These issues raise critical questions: What should be done about Andrew and Harry, and how can the monarchy address its growing challenges?
King grapples with defining his vision
Although individual members of the royal family remain popular, the institution itself faces declining public support, especially among younger generations. Polls indicate that a significant portion of the population believes the monarchy should be abolished or is not important. The monarchy's future is further complicated by Prince Charles's reign, as he grapples with defining his vision for the institution.
Charles is caught between maintaining continuity with his mother's reign and recognising the need for a clearer vision. While he has suggested combining Commonwealth and climate activism, these ideas lack widespread appeal. The Commonwealth's influence has waned, and climate change is a divisive issue. The monarchy needs to address its challenges with a more honest and comprehensive approach.
Prince Andrew’s saga
The ongoing sagas involving Prince Andrew and Prince Harry further exacerbate the monarchy's problems. Prince Andrew's refusal to vacate Royal Lodge and Harry's public criticisms have created additional strains. Even Prince William, known for rarely making public missteps, faced criticism for not attending a significant event.
