After Queen’s funeral: The many construction sites of the new king

After the state funeral for King Charles III. many construction sites in the foreground: modernization of the royal family, climate and environmental issues, spat in the family. The new British government also faces major challenges.

After the state funeral for the Queen, everyday life returns for most Britons. For the royal family, however, there is still a seven-day mourning period. But despite the mourning flags, plans for the future are already being made behind the palace walls – for example, preparations for the coronation of the new King Charles III. and presumably also his king wife Camilla.

The “Telegraph”, which is always well informed in royal matters, assumes that the coronation will take place in the spring or summer of next year. The ceremony is expected to be on a much smaller scale than his mother Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, the paper said. It is considered very likely that Charles wants to streamline the monarchy and reduce the focus on a few members at the head of the royal family.

The palace and the question of costs

Money might also play a role. With energy prices soaring and inflation in the double digits, the palace may be keen to keep costs down. There had already been some criticism of the lavish funeral marches on the death of the Queen.

For example, when a man in the Welsh capital of Cardiff yelled at the new king: “Charles, while we are having trouble heating our homes, we have to pay for your parades.” He was pushed aside by a security guard. The cost of the police operation alone during the eleven-day memorial service must have been enormous.

In the first few days after the Queen’s death, many Britons had forbidden criticism of the royal family. It was not the right time for this, it was heard in many places. It remains to be seen whether this will remain the case in the coming weeks and months.

Truss and the king – contrary views on climate protection

But there are other challenges waiting for Charles. The course of the new British Prime Minister Liz Truss in terms of climate and environmental protection and renewable energies is likely to present the king with a dilemma. Truss openly railed against solar panels while touting nuclear power and controversial fracking.

Charles, who has long campaigned to protect the environment and climate, shouldn’t like that. But as king he is obliged to remain politically neutral. A virtue Elizabeth II mastered perfectly. If Charles remains silent, he is likely to antagonize many young people who support him because of his commitment. If he openly opposes the government, he is likely to draw the wrath of the conservative tabloids and possibly do the royal family a disservice.

Harry wants to publish memoirs

Charles has another construction site in his own family. Despite warm words and joint appearances during the Queen’s funeral ceremonies, the dispute with his son Prince Harry (38) and daughter-in-law Duchess Meghan by no means seems to have been resolved. Harry has also announced the publication of his memoirs this year, which should provide new explosives. The Queen had always acted as a bridge through all the quarrels, respected by both sides. But that all changes with her death.

Great Britain is groaning under extreme energy costs

But not only the royal family is preparing for a lot of work, British politics also has more than enough to do. Parliament paused during the mourning period – it wants to meet again this week. Right at the top of the agenda is the question of how British households can be helped in the so-called cost-of-living crisis: energy costs in particular are currently rising to extremes in the country.

Shortly after taking office about two weeks ago, Truss announced an aid package of up to £150 billion. But it is unclear how this will be financed. This is the main reason why there is an urgent need for action, said Parliament President Lindsay Hoyle. “It’s the same challenge across the UK. It affects everyone and I think Thursday is a good day to sit down and tackle the issues.”

Also this week, Economy Minister Jacob Rees Mogg wants to present how companies can be helped – some are threatened with bankruptcy due to growing expenses. Finance Minister Kwasi Kwarteng wants to present a corresponding emergency budget, also this week.

Other construction sites: health system and the Northern Ireland Protocol

In between, the new Minister of Health, Therese Coffey, gives her inaugural speech. Topic: The ailing health system. Because the NHS, with its overcrowded emergency rooms and endless waiting times, is the next problem child.

Before that, however, Liz Truss will fly to New York to attend the UN General Assembly. There she also wants to make up for the postponed meeting with US President Joe Biden: the Northern Ireland protocol could become an issue. Truss is considering undermining the agreement, which provides for certain customs regulations, to the annoyance of the European contracting parties. The US warned: Such a move could jeopardize talks on a trade agreement between the UK and the US. As of today, the UK has returned to the lowlands of everyday life.