Speculation and predictions about the future of the monarchy have arisen since King Charles, the oldest person to assume the British throne, took over following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.
Some commentators, historians, and even fortune tellers claim that King Charles may be the last ruling monarch, while a few suggest that he might abdicate the throne in the coming years.
Interestingly, fortune teller Jemima Packington, who accurately predicted the Queen's death, believes that Charles will hand over the reins to Prince William soon.
A supposed insider, a high-ranking royal named Angela Kelly, previously shared with the media that Queen Elizabeth had gathered the family for a summit at Sandringham to address her eventual passing and unveil a series of decrees to be followed afterward. One of the most remarkable alleged commands was that Charles agreed to abdicate on his 80th birthday.
The Queen recognized the potential that William and Catherine could bring to the throne, understanding that Charles may not be the popular choice among the majority of the people. Charles will likely hold on until William and Catherine's children are older before passing the throne on.
This would give the 73-year-old Charles only seven years on the throne, a mere fraction of his mother's reign. The throne would then naturally pass to his son, William, the eldest son of Charles and the late Princess Diana, who has been preparing for this role throughout his life.
As the Prince of Wales, William underwent years of training to ensure the survival of the British monarchy. However, he will have to wait for his turn to lead the institution until Charles' 80th birthday when William will be 47 years old. Britain needs a young and vibrant monarch for the 21st century, and some argue that Charles, being a country gentleman with an indecisive and weak character, would be best suited for retirement.
There are concerns about his ability to handle the enormous responsibility of ruling. He appears unwell and fatigued, making the prospect of passing the throne to his son rather than ruling until his own death a plausible option.
For instance, after her accession, Queen Elizabeth embarked on a six-month tour of the Commonwealth. Such global trips would be challenging even under the best circumstances, and given the pandemic, they seem riskier than ever. However, aside from convenience, the question remains: How likely is it that Charles would abdicate in favor of his son before his natural term ends?
Royal scholar Dr. Robert Morris from University College London remarked, "I hope the King has inherited the extraordinary genes that took his grandmother beyond her century and his mother and father into their 90s. But I don't recall any of them looking as tired and spaced out as the King and Queen did during the coronation."
As William flawlessly carries out his duties and his wife presents herself as a poised queen in waiting, one can't help but wonder when the next coronation will take place. Royal expert Jenny Murray suggests that King Charles and the Queen should decide in the not-too-distant future to pass the crown to Prince William.
Charles has delivered well-received speeches, connected with crowds during his public engagements, and witnessed a significant surge in his approval ratings since assuming the throne.
During his first speech as king, William expressed his dedication to serving the people for life, echoing the unwavering devotion demonstrated by the Queen herself. He solemnly pledged to uphold the constitutional principles at the core of the nation. As the monarch, he aims to fulfill his duty to the nation throughout the remaining time that God grants him.
