King Charles has been said to be “doing his best” to stick to his constitutional duties as an impartial monarch, a veteran royal commentator has observed.
As Prince of Wales, Charles earned the moniker of the “meddling prince” for his regular correspondence with lawmakers and statements on issues he felt required attention.
From the environment to architecture, Charles has opined on a variety of subjects in the decades before he ascended to the throne.
Since becoming the King, royal author Valentine Low has now observed him ratcheting down the rhetoric in favour of a more constitutional approach.
King Charles is ‘trying his best’ to maintain his constitutional role as an impartial monarch
This process began immediately, with Charles signalling the change mere days into his reign.
“In the first four days after accession, he gave three speeches and all of them mentioned the constitution,” Mr Low observed.
In the three years since, the King has put that intention into practice and taken a reserved role on key issues.
“He no longer writes to ministers, he no longer gives provocative speeches of the sort that used to anger them,” the veteran royal author said.
As Prince of Wales, Charles was famed for his passionate stances and penchant for ‘meddling’ with lawmakers regarding his treasured issues
“He’s doing his best to be a constitutional king,” Mr Low told The Telegraph.
The author believed this was perfectly demonstrated during President Donald Trump’s State Visit to Britain last month.
Mr Trump afforded all the pomp and ceremony the Royal Family could muster as he was welcomed to Windsor Castle, sharing a lavish State Banquet with the King.
“I don’t get the sense that the King was reluctant to do that,” Mr Low explained.
The King was said to demonstrate his approach during President Trump’s State Visit last month
While King Charles and President Trump disagree on matters such as the environment and global warming, the monarch was seen to dutifully fulfil his role as head of state.
Regarding welcoming the US leader and other diplomatic tasks, Mr Low said: “If that’s what the Government wants, he’s jolly well going to be accommodating.”
The September visit was a warm reception that was celebrated as a major success, helping ink major trade deals between Britain and the United States.
“State visits may look anachronistic but the reality is they’re one of the most effective things we can do in the soft power area,” Lord Darroch of Kew, former British ambassador to the US, said.
The monarch was praised as a ‘very accomplished diplomat’
According to Lord Darroch, the key to that success was King Charles and his expertly impartial approach he has honed since ascending to the throne.
“There’s no doubt the King has different views (to Mr Trump) but, as we have seen on occasions like this many times.
The former ambassador celebrated: “He is a very accomplished diplomat.”
“He just knows how to do it,” Lord Darroch added.
