Are King Charles and Prince William ensuring the future of the monarchy?

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Both King Charles III and Prince William have demonstrated their understanding of the monarchy's role in representing continuity. However, they have also dedicated the past year to developing their own unique roles.

The coronation was the standout occasion in a busy year for the British royal family. A seismic moment in history, it marked Charles' transition from prince to sovereign and showcased a blend of modern and ancient traditions. The focus was on the crowning moment and accompanying pageantry, but Charles also made efforts to update the more antiquated parts of the ritual to better reflect contemporary society, illustrating the diversity of faiths in modern Britain. It was no longer just an establishment event.

The tweaks included a more diverse congregation, recognition of multiple religions, original musical compositions and performances, and an effort to involve the public more actively through a pledge of allegiance - a move that sparked controversy.

In the months that followed, the King has prioritized the daily responsibilities of monarchy, receiving his ministerial box from the government and commonwealth realms, as well as making appearances at walkabouts, audiences, and receptions. It is here that royal-watchers can observe one of the initial differences between Charles and his late mother.

Charles has frequently shown a willingness to embrace controversial meetings and pivotal moments, a stark contrast to Queen Elizabeth II's efforts to remain impartial.

King Charles during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

Aaron Chown/Pool/Reuters

He has prioritized the environment in his leadership style and has used various gatherings to bring attention to the refugee crisis, recognize overlooked communities such as the Windrush generation, and address difficult aspects of British history, as demonstrated during his visit to Kenya. Additionally, he has upheld his promise to be a defender of all faiths by consistently including interreligious events in his busy schedule.

Throughout her lifetime, the late Queen's stance on current issues remained enigmatic to most of us. However, Charles has discovered a way to express his opinions without overstepping the boundaries of his new role. Leveraging his ability to bring people together, a quality for which he is widely admired, he has chosen to listen rather than publicly voice his thoughts.

This approach has enabled him to maintain his impartiality while utilizing the information he gathers to guide his discussions among influential circles. His shift in strategy has made him appear more accessible, and his willingness to address past wrongdoings has been largely welcomed as a positive initial step.

King Charles attends an interfaith meeting in Mombasa, Kenya.

Luis Tato/Pool/AP

A tradition inherited from his mother is Prince William's refusal to give interviews, leading the Prince of Wales to revamp the media strategy at Kensington Palace. The goal is to garner support for the monarchy among younger, less engaged generations by sharing polished, behind-the-scenes videos on social media.

Williams has faced the challenge of distinguishing his time as Prince of Wales from that of his father. While he has taken on many of the patronages previously held by Charles, he has not taken over the numerous charities founded by his father, which have since been renamed for the King. Instead, he is focusing on his own initiatives, such as his five-year effort to address homelessness and his ambitious Earthshot eco-prize, to which he has already dedicated several years.

During his visit to Singapore in November for his green award scheme, William shared his vision for the future, expressing a desire to go beyond simply raising awareness on issues, as his family has done in the past. He aims to focus on being more deliberate in his efforts, rather than taking on numerous causes, and to "actually bring change and bring people to the table who can do the change if I can't."

Prince William meets members of the public in Bournemouth, England.

Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson Collection/Chris Jackson/Getty Images

As those in the direct line of succession redefine themselves, their spouses also undergo transformation. Catherine, Princess of Wales, has shifted from merely supporting her husband to focusing on her own projects after the Queen's passing. Her "Shaping Us" campaign, aimed at investing in the early years of a child's life, is a key part of her royal service.

In 2023, Camilla focused on preparing for her role as Queen, and as we head into 2024, she is anticipated to be more active in sharing her priorities. The recent announcement that her literary charity, the Queen's Reading Room, will launch its own podcast series in January hints at what is to come in her agenda.

However, the year hasn't been smooth sailing for the Windsor family. Despite Charles' efforts to maintain stability, there have been obstacles. The ongoing controversy surrounding the strained relationship with the Sussexes has continued following Prince Harry's release of his highly debated memoir, Spare, in January. His brief return to the United Kingdom for the coronation and legal proceedings against the British tabloid press has reignited public interest in the family's internal conflicts.

There have been hints of reconciliation, following reports that the prince called Charles for his 75th birthday, but it seems that there has been no progress between the once inseparable brothers.

Camilla and Catherine attend the National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in London.

Richard Pohle/Pool/Reuters

Speculation and headlines are likely to continue in the coming months following the Duke of Sussex's recent victory against a UK publisher over historical phone hacking. This win will undoubtedly strengthen his efforts to reform the British tabloid press, but it remains to be seen if his calls for authorities to explore new criminal charges will be heeded.

The Firm also found themselves embroiled in a royal race row with the release of a controversial new book by Omid Scobie. The Dutch version of "Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchys Fight for Survival" named two family members who allegedly discussed the skin color of the Sussexes son, Archie, before he was born. Although it was briefly removed from shelves, the damage was already done.

The family chose to maintain a dignified silence and refrained from making official statements, but a royal source revealed to CNN that the palace was considering legal action. Additionally, they faced challenges from vocal anti-monarchy protesters, leading to criticism of the London police's handling of activists during the coronation and even a protest held within Buckingham Palace in September.

Protesters demonstrate ahead of the State Opening of Parliament opposite the Houses of Parliament in London in November.

Since Charles ascended the throne, there has been a significant increase in Republican demonstrators waving placards and chanting "not my King" at the late Queen's events.

According to recent CNN polling, support for the monarchy has been steadily decreasing, indicating that Prince Charles will need to address the issue of republicanism as he begins his reign.

Notably, one significant absence in the coronation year has been a visit to a Commonwealth realm. With Charles being the head of state in 14 countries other than the UK, many royal experts have observed his lack of international travel.

Recently, there has been increasing speculation in British media about the King and Queen planning a visit to Canada. There is also discussion about a potential trip to Australia and New Zealand later this year in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.

Charles and Camilla head home after a trip to Paris and Bordeaux.

Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

In recent years, trips to realms have been overshadowed by increasing anger over Britain's imperialist legacy. Local republican movements, fueled by Barbados' decision to sever its ties to the crown two years ago, have gained momentum.

While the royal family has acknowledged the darker periods of shared history and emphasized that the destiny of each realm is its own, mere contrition may not be sufficient to maintain the bonds in the future.

As the year of coronation comes to an end, the working members of the royal family have successfully maintained the monarchy's momentum and continuity. Charles has demonstrated his ability to smoothly transition between sovereigns and prevent any significant disasters at the start of his reign. However, as the initial excitement fades, familiar challenges are resurfacing, leaving the question: Can he continue to gain support from his subjects?