Queen Elizabeth II died a year ago. And so began the era of King Charles in England. Today many things remain the same, says British correspondent Lia van Bekhoven. ‘What was and will be preserved.’

There had been previous speculation that Charles, upon accession to the throne, would adapt the institution, Van Bekhoven said, to a more transparent role for the British monarch in political affairs. ‘The protocols they are still maintaining here, like bending the knee, will work. But the most important thing is: continue as usual. What was and will be preserved.’ It looks a bit worn. ‘The feeling is that the monarchy has become somewhat stagnant and is carrying on as usual.’

Smooth transition

As a historian once said of Elizabeth: she did nothing, and she was very good at it. Hopes that Charles would change this and modernize have not come true. Even though the transition went very smoothly. The expected identity crisis here and there did not happen: everything went very smoothly, says Van Bekhoven. “It seems he is keeping the throne warm for William.”

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However, Charles has shown himself not to be too far off from Elizabeth. He showed himself more and also talked to people, something his mother never did. Further changes that, according to the outside world, are appropriate for a 21st century monarch are still pending. There is little evidence of his interest in climate, nor his preference for modern architecture and alternative medicine. “He didn’t comment on that at all again.”

Diplomatic trick

For example: the then British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, stopped Charles’ intention to visit the climate change summit in Sharm el-Sheikh. It even took diplomatic tricks to nip the riots in the bud. ‘As a compromise, he held a reception at Buckingham Palace for all national and international climate experts. And I think you will see more diplomatic solutions like that.”

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According to Van Bekhoven, ongoing family problems are still a sore point. According to Harry and Meghan Markle, diversity and modernity must be at the core of the family circle. But Charles had little choice but to leave the palace doors open, after all the dirty laundry Prince Harry aired. “All this in the hope that Harry and Meghan will one day want to reconcile with the Windsors, which I have to tell you, it doesn’t look like that.”