Britain’s King Charles will receive his first foreign head of state in London today. He welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace. “Royalty watchers especially want to know how different she is from the Queen,” said UK correspondent Lia van Bekhoven.

“In addition to meetings with members of the royal family, Ramaphosa will meet with British Prime Minister Sunak, and then with opposition leader Starmer,” said Van Bekhoven. ’ But royalty watchers especially want to know how different it is from the Queen. And especially tonight at the state banquet, it was a highlight.’

According to Van Bekhoven, state banquets are never really late at Queen Elizabeth, and the bagpipes enter the great banquet hall at ten exactly. ’ And then everybody slows down, it’s normal. The question is whether King Charles will follow in those footsteps and tradition.’

Reception

Van Bekhoven did not expect the new monarch to criticize Ramaphosa, who has been accused of politically sensitive issues in his own country. “I think he will be very polite, friendly, welcoming and diplomatic. It is high time for Ramaphosa, accused of corruption and money laundering, to break away from it all. He could use some distraction.’

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According to Van Bekhoven, the English people got used to their new king very quickly. “There was no national nervous breakdown following Elizabeth’s death. Charles was very prompt with ‘the show must go on’ message. There has been much speculation about whether Britain will accept Camilla as queen, but the answer is yes. He has risen sharply in popularity. Besides, I think Charles was lucky that all kinds of scandals lurked, and nothing more. They have not yet taken root in the public consciousness.’