In the autumn of his years but the infancy of his reign, at 75 the King stands at the precipice of history. A man of vision, who spent decades preparing for his role, he knows that his moment in the sun will be brief compared with his late mother Queen Elizabeth.
In the corridors of Dumfries House in Ayrshire, he confided to me that he knew that he had no time to waste. He revealed that the peace he had found painting watercolours had already become a luxury of a life past. He was thus relinquishing his joy for the crown and duty. The King finds himself a monarch in a world embroiled in conflicts that sprawl from Europe to the Middle East, a world that demands of him not just the stoicism of a sovereign but the sagacity of a statesman.
The King understands the delicate balance required. In his constitutional role, he treads a fine line — never partisan, his influence subtle yet profound. His efforts this month as he engages with Arab leaders in clandestine talks over a road map for peace are an endeavour rooted in his long-standing relations with the region’s royals — relationships that might now forge a path to concord.
The King always knew that as heir to Elizabeth, he would only have a finite period as monarch to make his mark on history. It is hoped his ties to Arab royalty in the region might help boost diplomatic initiatives and palace sources have confirmed he will hold bilateral discussions in Dubai to coincide with the UN’s COP28 summit.
It is understood the meetings will take place ahead of the climate change conference, beginning on November 30, where the King will deliver an opening address.
He is poised to hold talks with influential Middle Eastern royalty. These will focus on the issues of “faith and finding a harmonious solution” to the Israel-Gaza crisis through “mutual respect and constructive dialogue”, according to my source, who said: “His Majesty knows he cannot overreach his constitutional position. But he cannot sit on his hands and do nothing while children, women and civilians are being slaughtered. It would, in his mind’s eye, be a dereliction of duty at a time of crisis. This is not about being a peacemaker or meddling it is about doing what is right and proper.”
This comes during an historic year for the King. On May 6, millions tuned in to witness his coronation. Today is his 75th birthday and while making it to three-quarters of a century would, for most, be excuse enough for a celebration the King wanted no grand displays, preferring to keep things minimal and family orientated.
London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast were paying tribute with traditional gun salutes, and a military band was due to perform Happy Birthday outside Buckingham Palace.
Beyond the crown and the ceremonies, however, who is Charles III? From the proclamation of the arrival of Prince Charles Philip Arthur George in 1948 to the poignant moments of his upbringing under the watchful eye of his father, Prince Philip, and into adulthood, the world looked on as a self-effacing Charles rose to, and navigated, the challenges of his younger years.
The daunting confines of Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland, which he hated, were followed by the halls of academia at Cambridge, where Charles read archaeology, anthropology and history at Trinity College.
He then trained as a jet pilot at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, before enrolling at the Royal Naval College in preparation for his years of service as a Royal Navy officer. He went on to become a beacon of leadership for causes that transcended his royal duties and responsibilities as heir to the throne. From championing sustainable urbanism and organic farming to trumpeting holistic approaches in science, industry, and business, he often knowingly went against the tide of popular and professional opinion.
The natural world resonated with Charles from a young age, and he would go on to use his public profile to sound the alarm on environmental concerns, even before the term “global warming” entered wide usage.
His clarion calls on the environment have become accepted truths, and he has been widely acclaimed
Aged 21, Charles made his first landmark speech about the environment, warning of the threats from plastic waste and chemicals dumped into rivers and seas, and from air pollution from industry, traffic, and air travel. His clarion calls, initially met with derision, have now become accepted truths, and he has been widely acclaimed around the world and honoured for his work in the field. Today, Charles is not only the British sovereign but also monarch of the Commonwealth realms, as well as Head of the Commonwealth, a role he takes extremely seriously.
The leadership and service of the union of nations is integral to the King’s daily life, and while the Commonwealth presents a significant legacy, it also presents a coalition of hope, one that can unite to change the world for the better. Charles’s dedication is evident in his travels, speeches, and initiatives, such as the Blue Economy programme, which was set up to aid small island nations threatened by rising sea levels.
Inevitably, the late Queen’s long reign still looms large in the national psyche, but the King has never been one to stand idly by. Throughout his working life, he has striven to make a real difference and to enlighten others.
Now more than a year into his reign, those close to the King are confident that he will not be suffocated by the limitations and restrictions of the “top job” and will continue to support the causes that he believes in.
He will not be so outspoken, perhaps, but he will use his convening powers to bring influential people together to address the issues of the day.
As heir to the throne, Charles devoted his life to service and duty. Now that he is the King, as he wrote in a private letter in 1993, he is “entirely motivated by a desperate desire to put the ‘Great’ back into Great Britain”.
