British speculate about Charles III’s arrogance attack
“The future of the monarchy rests on his shoulders”
“Today is not only a day of mourning, but also a day of joy,” says Great Britain correspondent Arndt Striegler on the proclamation of Charles III. In his speech one could hear how seriously the new British king takes his role.
The first hours of King Charles III. touched and inspired the British. It’s just stupid that the new monarch then possibly made a faux pas: when he proclaimed him, he seemed to rudely scold palace employees – and unfortunately everyone could see it on TV.
So the British have not really warmed up to the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, in recent decades. The 73-year-old was first considered odd, then cold-hearted. In particular, the divorce from and death of his first wife, Princess Diana, gave the Prince of Wales bad press for years.
That was long ago. The palace’s PR departments have done a good job and significantly improved the image of the prince and his second wife, Duchess Camilla. And since the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the newly elected new British king has been riding a wave of sympathy anyway. The first steps of Charles III. were greeted with benevolence, even praise, by most Britons.
Until, yes, until the former Prince of Wales made a faux pas. For the first time, the complex ceremony of the official proclamation was broadcast live. You could also see how the 73-year-old was supposed to sign various documents in St. James’ Palace – but before that he ruled over the adjacent palace employees.
A longer version makes the situation seem different
Video clips on Twitter document the incident, in which Charles gestured imperiously at bystanders to remove stray inkwells and a box of pens from his desk.
The reactions on the Internet are clear: some users doubt the monarch’s ability to lead because he treats his subordinates so arrogantly. “Imagine you have to respect someone who treats other people like this” wrote one user.
The Reuters news agency also broadcast the wiping scene in a video clip. However, it shows a longer excerpt of the situation, so that the monarch’s instruction seems much less presumptuous. Ultimately, the assessment of the situation is left to the viewer himself.
How eccentric is Charles really?
Charles’ penchant for eccentricity and possibly exaggerated luxury has been a topic in the press time and again over the past few decades. How much truth there is in the reports was and is unclear.
It was often rumored that the long-time heir to the throne has an employee who squeezes toothpaste out of the tube, but has never been officially confirmed. On the other hand, one of his biographers denied the claim that Charles only traveled with his own toilet seat.
The proclamation, which was broadcast live on television for the first time, was attended not only by the monarch but also by Camilla, Charles’ son and heir apparent to the throne.
Before taking an oath, Charles said in a brief address that he was “deeply aware of the obligations and grave responsibilities” as the sovereign of the United Kingdom.