It was a crucial test that Charles III had to undergo on Sunday as the new king: the Christmas message to the British, recorded by the monarch and broadcast on television every year since 1932. This speech is above all a harbinger of the first year as king, after the death of his mother Elizabeth II on September 8. And it will present many challenges.
Carlos III knows that, on May 6, the cameras of the whole world will be focused on him to broadcast his coronation in London. The ceremony will take place in Westminster Abbey and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, as it has been since 1066.
A ceremony that was billed as sober, in response to the skyrocketing cost of living in the UK. Preparations have already begun, with some modifications made to the St. Edward’s wreath in preparation for the event.
“It was cut to size,” Thomas Pernette, a journalist for ‘Point de vue’ and author of ‘Highnesses in Trouble’ (Flammarion), explains to BFMTV.
“This crown is not the crown that we are used to seeing for the opening of Parliament,” continues the specialist. “It is the crown that is only worn once, on coronation day, it is very important for the English and the whole world.”
New controversies in sight
But the most difficult issue facing the monarchy as these ceremonies approach will be keeping an eye on the guest list side: “The big question is whether Meghan and Harry will be there.”
The two terrible sons of the monarchy continue to give the royal family a hard time, two years after their controversial exile in California. After an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, during which they notably claimed that a member of the royal family had been concerned about the skin color of Archie, their eldest unborn child, they made new embarrassing statements for the crown in Harry and Meganhis documentary series presented a few weeks ago on Netflix.
In particular, they claimed that Meghan Markle had become the “scapegoat of the palace” and accused the royal family of deliberately mounting the press against her. He also reveals the stormy behind-the-scenes of her departure, with Harry claiming that British tabloids caused Meghan’s miscarriage.
For Thomas Pernette, his invitation to the coronation of Carlos III is beyond doubt: “You cannot imagine the king not inviting his youngest son.” But will they come?
“It’s something else,” says the specialist.
“Whether the other members of the royal family want to rub shoulders with them on the benches of Westminster Abbey, that is another question as well. That will all be decided in January.” Because the royal family is preparing for a new explosion, scheduled for the 10th of next month: the release of Prince Harry’s memoirs, alternate (Fayard).
a convincing king
On the public opinion side, Carlos III seems to win the hearts of the British little by little. Thomas Pernette underlines the “modernity” of his Christmas message: “He spoke of all communities, he was not addressed only to Christians. He wanted to associate both public services and associations committed to the weakest”.
On Sunday, at the end of the traditional Christmas mass, in the Sainte-Marie-Madeleine church in Sandringham, he showed a united front with his family: his wife Camilla, his son William and his daughter-in-law Kate, as well as his three young children. last, George, Charlotte and Louis. For him daily mailNow is the time to forget the “fantastic four”, the nickname of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan before the latter two abandoned their role within the royal family: “Now we have the magnificent seven!”, he rejoices the british newspaper.
Source: BFM TV
