King Charles is said to have a ten-year plan to transform the ‘monarchy to a public service’

As King Charles enters the final, frantic weeks of planning for his coronation, his most trusted advisers look much further ahead, sketching the outlines of his reign.

The New Carolean Age, as it is called, is likely defined by the tension between the reassuring, age-old traditions of the monarchy and the pressure on Buckingham Palace to lead the way in the issues of the day, such as Brexit, climate change and devolution.

Charles’s plans for a “diverse” coronation, with an attempt to include a role for non-Christian religions, represent the beginning of what one leading constitutionalist describes as the beginning of a “transition from the magical monarchy to the monarchy of public service’.

Sir Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government at King’s College London, says that in 1995, when he wrote in his influential book The Monarchy And The Constitution that ‘the monarchy could survive only by being seen as serving the public’, he was told ‘coincided with the thinking of the then Prince of Wales’.

The key to King Charles’s success will be the dexterity with which he balances the monarchy’s values ​​of continuity, stability and security with his more ambitious and radical instincts.

Informed sources believe Charles has a “ten-year plan” and assumes he can expect a decade of reasonable health. The king, they argue, could then support a “staged abdication” to function as a “King Father” after William ascended the throne.

Innovators around the king claim, according to one source, that “after he’s waited so long to reach the throne, and given the limited time at his disposal, there’s no point in him just sitting on it,” so he should ‘aim to be a high-profile monarch with a lot of impact at home and abroad’.

Charles was an environmentalist long before ‘net-zero’ carbon emissions became a policy priority – an interest castigated after he admitted in 1986 that ‘I like to talk to and listen to plants and trees’ – and the innovators expect the monarch to ‘take ownership of the policy.

While the cost-of-living crisis – and the strain it has placed on household finances – has made it more difficult for the government to sell green taxes, the modernizers believe Charles has the “broader environmental credentials to address an issue to depoliticize that takes too long’. term and too visionary for short-term party politicians to wrestle with.”

Constitutionalists also expect the King, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, to address the issue of income disparities and the rise of food banks.

Meanwhile, the program for the Duke of Edinburgh Award is likely to be restarted to better align with The Prince’s Trust, Charles’s charity, which helps young people access jobs, education and training.

The prize scheme – the highly successful brainchild of Prince Philip – is considered to risk alienating the next generation by leaning too much towards camping and orienteering, and not enough towards the advancement of technology in the modern age, although many parents would consider that as one of the most positive features.

The King is also expected to play a role in stabilizing devolutionary debate – especially given the turmoil in the Scottish National Party and its independence drive – backed by William in Wales and Prince Edward as Duke of Edinburgh in Scotland.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award program – the highly successful brainchild of Prince Philip – threatens to alienate the next generation

The monarch’s successful visit to Germany last month was the first sign of a shift in emphasis away from the Commonwealth and towards the European Union, with Downing Street keen for the king – assisted by his eldest son and daughter-in-law – to continue relations with the mainland after Brexit and to boost trade relations.

However, given the late queen’s love for the commonwealth, the king has emotional reasons for maintaining his relations with the dominions. A visit to India is currently being discussed as a possible early visit.

Sir Vernon Bogdanor recalled that ‘the monarchy could survive only by being seen as serving the public’

The modernists expect the king to be more involved in the Middle East than his mother, including visits to Gulf monarchs, and for a bold engagement with Chinese dissidents. And if the war in Ukraine continues, expect the king to amplify supportive rhetoric for President Zelensky.

Sir Vernon said last night: ‘As Prince of Wales, Charles pioneered the public service monarchy.

‘He realized that the monarchy could not survive just by being seen. It also had to be seen as a contribution to society.

‘His charities, in particular The Prince’s Trust, have done much to help the young unemployed, members of ethnic minorities, etc. – groups disenfranchised to some extent by the political system.

“His state visit to Germany shows that the monarchy still wields a lot of soft power, pushing Britain above her weight in foreign affairs. The visit has done something to heal the scars of Brexit.”

Given the late queen’s love for the commonwealth, the king has emotional reasons for maintaining his relations with the dominions. Pictured: Flags celebrating the upcoming coronation of King Charles

He added: “An area that has not been highlighted is the patronage of the arts. As is known, Charles is an avid amateur painter. He also plays the cello and has a great interest in classical music. And he is a lover of Shakespeare.

‘In the 18th century, the monarchy played an important role in stimulating the arts. Maybe it will happen again today.’

However, Sir Vernon downplayed the idea of ​​Charles becoming ‘King Father’, saying, ‘I am sure Charles, like his mother, will never abdicate. He appreciates that in Britain the role of head of state is a lifelong commitment.’