What Will Happen Now That Charles Is King?

Genevieve Carlton
Updated October 11, 2022 452.2K views 12 items

What will happen in the UK when Charles is crowned king? The next British monarch will bring major changes to the country, which hasn't seen a new ruler since 1953. That year, Queen Elizabeth II officially ascended to the throne after her father, King George VI, passed in 1952. She became England's longest-ruling monarch - and Charles became the oldest heir to the throne. 

When Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022, Charles instantly became the king, and his new duties started immediately. The entire British royal family will see big changes, including new titles, new land holdings, and a new line of succession. But will Charles adopt the name King Charles III or take a new royal name? Will Camilla be queen consort? Will Kate step into Diana's shoes as the new Princess of Wales? There's a lot to learn about what will happen now that Charles is king.

  • Charles Will Be Known As Charles III

    British monarchs often change their name when they ascend to the throne. Queen Victoria's first name was actually Alexandrina, while King George VI was originally called Albert. 

    As for Charles, some assumed he might change his name as well. In the 17th century, King Charles I and King Charles II were both caught up in chaotic conflict. Charles I was deemed a traitor and slain, while Charles II was known for his scandalous love life.

    However, Clarence House announced Charles planned to take the name Charles III shortly after Queen Elizabeth passed.

  • His First Days As King Were A Mourning Period For Queen Elizabeth

    After Queen Elizabeth II passed, Britain went into mourning until the conclusion of her funeral on September 19, 2022. Because Charles became king as soon as Elizabeth was gone, his first 10 days of rule were over a nation in mourning. 

    During the mourning period, the queen's body lay in state in Westminster Hall, where mourners were able to visit. In observance of the queen, the BBC did not air any comedies. Ten days after her death, the queen's funeral took place.

    Charles's official coronation ceremony will not be held until May 6, 2023.

  • Charles Addressed The Nation

    Queen Elizabeth's succession has been mapped out down to the minute thanks to a plan known as Operation London Bridge, as reported in Vanity Fair.

    Charles released a brief statement shortly after his mother's passing:

    The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of great sadness for me and all members of my family.

    We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

    During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.

    Charles also addressed the nation as their new king the day after Elizabeth's death.

  • The UK Will Prepare For Its First Coronation Since 1953
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    The UK Will Prepare For Its First Coronation Since 1953

    Britain hasn't held a coronation in a long time – not since June 2, 1953, to be precise. Queen Elizabeth's coronation was so long ago it was the first in British history to be televised. The event was watched by 27 million people in the UK alone, and millions more across the world. 

    Charles will become the 40th British monarch crowned at Westminster Abbey. Plans are already well underway for Charles's coronation, with a secret, independent committee called the Golden Orb tasked with making the necessary preparations.

  • Some Thought He Would Step Aside For William

    According to the 1701 Act of Settlement, a British monarch's heir will be their direct successor. That means when Elizabeth passed, Charles became king immediately. But some people thought the line of succession would skip Charles so that Prince William would become king instead. While the idea has been tabloid fodder for years, it isn't playing out that way.

    As Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward said in People magazine: 

    It’s not a job like being a truck driver. We have an inherited monarchy and it passes from generation to generation and you have no choice in the matter. It passes down through the generations - only stalled by death. It is the natural order of things.

    Why didn't Elizabeth declare William her successor, skipping over Charles? Seward explains: "The Queen herself doesn’t have the power to make those sort of decisions."

  • Prince William Is Now The Prince Of Wales

    With Charles's ascension to the throne, his children's titles changed as well. Prince William became the Prince of Wales, as well as the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. That indicates he has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, previously managed by Charles and valued at $1.2 billion. 

    As for William and Kate's children, their spot in the line of succession has also changed. George moves to second in line, followed by Charlotte, thanks to the 2011 amendment to the Act of Settlement. The change places children in order by birth, regardless of gender, so Prince Louis will not move ahead of Charlotte in the line.

  • Kate Has Inherited Diana's Title

    Dating back to the 1200s, the English king's heir has held the title Prince of Wales, and his wife has been the Princess of Wales.

    Princess Diana made the title famous. As a respectful gesture, Charles's wife, Camilla, did not use the title herself. However, after Charles assumed the throne, Prince William became Prince of Wales and his wife Catherine became Princess of Wales. She is also the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. She will retain these titles until William becomes king, at which point she will be Queen Consort.

  • Camilla Is Queen Consort

    When Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles married in 2005, only 7 percent of British citizens approved of her taking the title of queen upon Charles's eventual coronation. In response, Charles announced that at his ascension, Camilla would take a different title: Princess Consort. The new title, created just for Camilla, was intended to avoid PR problems resulting from Camilla's unpopularity.

    Since then, Camilla's popularity has soared, and Charles's plans have changed. The official statement from Buckingham Palace marking Elizabeth's death referred to Camilla as “Queen Consort," and Charles confirmed the title in his first address as king:

    I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage seventeen years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort. I know she will bring to the demands of her new role the steadfast devotion to duty on which I have come to rely so much.

  • Britain's Post Boxes Will Change

    When a new monarch ascends the British throne, the nation's post boxes change. The famous red post boxes each carry a royal cypher representing the ruling monarch. Elizabeth's symbol stands for "Elizabeth II Regina."

    England alone has more than 85,000 post boxes. While the old boxes will remain, any new ones installed under Charles's reign will carry his cypher. The oldest post boxes in the UK date back to the 1850s, during Queen Victoria's reign.

  • The UK Will Start Making Banknotes And Stamps With Charles's Portrait

    Now that Charles is king, his face will grace British currency. In fact, many believe Charles has already sat for the portrait that will appear on the banknotes. 

    The mint will begin to produce the new bills immediately. Over a period of several years, the new Charles currency will replace the older Elizabeth currency. And that won't be the only change - Charles will also appear on new stamps.

  • Don't Expect Another Jubilee Any Time Soon

    The British royal family has a long history of celebrating jubilees, or significant milestones in a monarch's reign. At Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, celebrating 60 years of her rule, subjects cheered her on a long processional. Victoria remarked in her journal, per the Royal Family's official website:

    No one ever, I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those 6 miles of streets... The cheering was quite deafening & every face seemed to be filled with real joy. I was much moved and gratified.

    Queen Elizabeth II became only the second British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and the first to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee in 2022. And as the longest-reigning monarch in UK history, she will be a tough act to follow. Charles, already in his 70s, may not rule long enough to reach the shortest jubilee milestone of 25 years.

  • Want More British Royals?

    Whether it’s their lavish lifestyles, their misbehavior, the tradition and mystique that surrounds them, or the pop culture about them, the British royal family has intrigued generations and continues to do so. If you – or someone you know – just can’t get enough of Queen Elizabeth II and her clan, here are our staff’s picks of what to read, watch, and buy next.

    Elizabeth: A Celebration in Photos: A Celebration in Photographs of the Queen's Life and Reign is a vibrant, high-resolution collection of images perfect for anyone who enjoys the visual opulence of the British monarchy. Put together by former BBC correspondent Jennie Bond, the collection celebrates the towering presence of Queen Elizabeth II in British life.

    Fans of The Crown will enjoy the documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy. In this unique, intimate look at the People’s Princess, her sons and heirs, Prince William and Prince Harry look back on her life and work.

    Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy by Alison Weir is ideal for the person who enjoys digging into the longer-view genealogy of the modern royal family. Drawing on countless authorities, both ancient and modern, Alison Weir explores the royal family tree in unprecedented depth and provides a comprehensive guide to the heritage of today’s royal family. 

    And for a lighter read that’s full of fun facts and surprising stories to delight longtime enthusiasts and new fans alike, This Is a Book for People Who Love the Royals digs into all of the aspects of everyone's favorite monarchy.

    And hang around! We’ve written more cool stuff about the British Royals ourselves: