Britain mourns Queen Elizabeth. Will King Charles be as loved?
- His messy divorce from Princess Diana alienated many, and his accession to the throne is likely to fuel debate about the future of the royal family
- Edged out of the limelight by his more glamorous sons, Charles has also drawn criticism for being out of touch and for his intervention in public affairs
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Queen Elizabeth dies at the age of 96
Prince Charles has been preparing for the crown his entire life. Now, at age 73, that moment has finally arrived.
After an apprenticeship that began as a child, Charles embodies the modernisation of the British monarchy.
He was the first heir not educated at home, the first to earn a university degree and the first to grow up in the ever-intensifying glare of the media as deference to royalty faded.
He also alienated many with his messy divorce from the much-loved Princess Diana, and by straining the rules that prohibit royals from intervening in public affairs, wading into debates on issues such as environmental protection and architectural preservation.
“He now finds himself in, if you like, the autumn of his life, having to think carefully about how he projects his image as a public figure,” said historian Ed Owens. “He’s nowhere near as popular as his mother.”