King Charles ascends to the throne at a time when nationalism is rising in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The two largest political parties in Scotland and Northern Ireland want to leave the UK, while a quarter of the population in Wales support independence. Observer reporters in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff assess attitudes to the new king.
Scotland
The evident connection that the Queen felt for the Highlands of Scotland and the people who lived there was reciprocated a thousandfold. But even in the sharpness of grief, there is a recognition among many Scots that although King Charles has inherited his mother’s title, he has yet to pass into the same esteem and affection they held for her.
That Scots were attached to the character and constancy of the Queen herself rather than the institution of monarchy is clear from polling. In May, the British Future thinktank found only 45% in Scotland wanted to retain the monarchy – compared with six in 10 people across Britain – while 36% believed the end of the Queen’s reign would be the appropriate moment to become a republic.
With the anticipation of further constitutional ructions this year as the supreme court considers whether the Scottish parliament may legally hold a second independence referendum, will the new King strengthen the bonds between Scotland and the rest of the UK or contribute to their further unravelling?
The former first minister Alex Salmond insisted before the 2014 independence referendum that Scotland would retain the Queen as head of state if the country voted yes, and this remains Scottish National party policy. Nicola Sturgeon, however, is believed to be far less enthusiastic about the royal role in Scotland, despite her evident admiration and affection for the Queen.
As they paid their respects to the Queen at the gates of Balmoral, visitors were already reflecting on their new King Charles. Karen Taylor, 48, a midwife from East Kilbride, said: “It’s going to change attitudes – there are people who only support the royal family because of the Queen. And he has big shoes to fill. It will be a long journey [for him] but I hope he’ll do it well and serve well.”
Rob Adamson, a retired events manager from north of Aberdeen, suggested the new monarch needed to become a far more moderate, non-partisan figure. “I wonder how he will choose to adapt to the new situation, as I feel he must do,” he said. “He has been outspoken on society and architecture over the years. That freedom is curtailed by his new role. With the example his mother set, he has had a very good model to follow. I feel that the role requires it of him.”
James Mitchell, professor of public policy at Edinburgh University, points out that while the Queen was careful in avoiding political hints or pronouncements, she did intervene on the constitution twice, in favour of the union, at the time of her silver jubilee in 1977 and just before the 2014 vote, when she was overheard expressing her wish that people “think very carefully about the future”.
“The question now is what Charles will do in public,” says Mitchell. “He has not exactly been subtle with his interventions over the years so this could be a real challenge for him and the SNP.” Libby Brooks and Severin Carrell
Wales
The affection for the late Queen in Wales is undoubtedly huge, and there is a fondness for William, who worked as a search and rescue pilot in the north of the country.
But though he held the title Prince of Wales for more than half a century and is a frequent visitor, attitudes to King Charles among most Welsh citizens are probably not as warm.
“I don’t think people like him as much as the Queen,” said Katie Mal, 37, a youth worker and mother from Cardiff as she watched a ceremony to mark the death of the Queen in the Welsh capital. “I think some people like his eco stuff, that will go down well. It just feels weird saying ‘King Charles’ and I think he has a job to do to win people over.”
Instinctively, Mal believes the monarchy ought to go. “I work with the poorest people in society and feel the royal family helps uphold the class system.” But on the other hand, she sees the royals as a “spread” that holds the four countries together. “It unites Britain in a way, something the nations have in common. Perhaps that needs to be a focus for Charles.” Her friend, Jenny Lee, 37, a teacher and mother, agreed. “The Queen is all we have ever known. Hopefully Charles will keep us united. He’ll have a lot of pressure on him. We’ve known the Queen for so many years. He’ll have to build on that.”
Marion Loeffler, a reader in Welsh history at Cardiff University, said that the Queen’s connection with Wales had been solid. “I think she tried to pass this on to Charles but it hasn’t worked as well. He learned a little bit of Welsh before his investiture, patronised the Royal Welsh Show, works with the Welsh wool industry but the Queen remained the figurehead.”
Before Charles announced that William would be the new Prince of Wales, a petition was launched calling for the title to be abolished because it is seen as symbol of subjugation since Edward I of England claimed it for his son in 1301.
“There’s a possibility he will win people over,” said Loeffler. “But Elizabeth was very young when she came to the throne. She had decades to make her mark. King Charles is already an elderly man.”
Craig Prescott, an expert on the monarchy at Bangor University, said the presence of the monarchy was weaker in Wales than the other nations – there is, for example, no official residence.
“There is a growing Welsh independence movement that is based on a distinct Welsh identity. That runs against the idea of monarchy. I would say Charles has a job to win over Wales,” Prescott said. Steven Morris
Northern Ireland
A new mural in Belfast ends in the exclamation – “The people’s Queen is dead, long live the King!” – but many unionists in Northern Ireland appear underwhelmed by King Charles III.
Partly it is shock and grief at the death of a revered monarch many had expected to live to 100. They need time to mourn what has been lost before cheering the replacement.
And partly, for some, it is a sense that the 73-year-old king is too familiar, too old, to generate excitement about a new reign.
“We have to support the King now,” said Carol Irwin, 58, after laying a wreath at a mural of the Queen off the Shankill Road in Belfast. “But it does feel strange saying ‘God save the King’. I would love William to step in. I can’t wait for William to be king.”
As a Northern Ireland loyalist, however, Irwin is proud of her loyalty to the crown, no matter who wears it. “We’ll still support Charles. The union jacks will be flying from the houses as normal.”
Stacey Graham on Belfast’s Shankill Road: ‘She epitomised everything it means to be British - doing her duty right till the end.’ pic.twitter.com/IbpoPyLACe
— Rory Carroll (@rorycarroll72) September 9, 2022
Joan McCullough, part of a small crowd outside Hillsborough Castle, a royal residence in County Down, voiced misgivings. “I don’t know if people will look up to Charles the same way. He has a very hard act to follow. I wouldn’t have the same respect for him – I was a Diana fan. I’d rather jump to William.” As she spoke workmen erected a scaffold in preparation for the King’s visit to Hillsborough this week.
The subdued response belies the fact that by one count Charles, as prince, made 39 official visits to Northern Ireland, plus additional visits to the Republic of Ireland, more than double the number of times his mother crossed the Irish Sea. He has criss-crossed the region shaking hands, presenting awards, opening new buildings.
That, and being his mother’s son, earned respect. “Charles is no spring chicken but he’s learned from the best. He will know what her wishes were,” said Stuart Ward, 43, from east Belfast.
Stacey Graham, 32, echoed the sentiment. “I don’t think the Queen would leave us in his hands if she didn’t think he was up to the job.”
Joy Crawford, 51, said the Queen, even in death, would keep “the Firm” on track: “I think Charles will be able to keep things together. He will always have his mother by his side.”
In the nationalist Falls Road area of Belfast many people shrugged when asked about Charles. Prince or king, it made no difference because he was not their monarch, they said. Rory Carroll
