Did you know that this May 6th the coronation of Charles III as the new King of England will take place?
That’s right! Nowadays, most European monarchies have a ceremonial role in their respective nations. However, royalty still retains a certain appeal to society, and royal coronations remain a major event that attracts worldwide attention.
Here at Spanish Express we always bring you the best and most interesting aspects of Spanish culture. However, this time we want to share with you information about the new monarch Charles III and his wife Camilla.
Do you want to know who they are and why they are so important? Read on!
Who are Charles III and Camilla?
Charles III, whose full name is Charles Philip Arthur George, was the long-serving Prince of Wales and, at the same time, heir to the British throne. He was born at Buckingham Palace, London, on 14 November 1948, as the first-born son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
A curiosity about Charles III is that he is the first heir to the throne in British history to be educated at a public school, attending Gordonstoun College in Scotland and later Cambridge University.
On the other hand, Camilla is currently the Duchess of Cornwall and the wife of Charles III. Her full name is Camilla Rosemary Shand, and she was born in London on 17 July 1947. Prior to her marriage to Charles III, Camilla was married to Andrew Parker Bowles, an officer in the British Army. The couple married in 1973 and had two children, Tom and Laura.
In 1995, Camilla and Andrew separated, and in the same year, Charles III and Princess Diana also separated. The relationship between Charles III and Camilla was the subject of controversy for many years, but they finally married in 2005 in a civil ceremony at Windsor Town Hall.
Since then, Camilla has become a very popular figure among the royal family and the British people, and is now a very active representative of various social and charitable causes.
The coronation of Charles III and Camilla
Sadly, Queen Elizabeth II passed away on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96, having reigned for more than 70 years. Consequently, Charles III became the new King of the United Kingdom and preparations for his coronation have already begun.
The coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla is scheduled for 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. It will be a highly anticipated historic event, as it is the first coronation of a new British monarch in more than six decades.
The ceremony will include the traditional anointing and the presentation of the royal symbols, such as the sword, sceptre and crown. There will also be a royal parade through the streets of London, where hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join in celebrating the coronation of the new king.
The coronation of Charles III and Camilla is an opportunity to celebrate tradition and the continuity of the British monarchy, as well as to look to the future and the role the new king will play not only in British society, but around the world.
What can we expect from Charles III as king?
As monarch, Charles III will have more responsibilities and duties than he had as prince. Firstly, he is now the head of state of the United Kingdom, and as such will have to fulfil a representative role within British society. This includes acting as host at major events, receiving foreign visitors and making official trips to different countries.
Although the role of the monarch in British politics is primarily symbolic, the King has certain prerogatives and responsibilities in the process of government. For example, he must consent to the enactment of legislation and has the power to dissolve Parliament. The monarch is also expected to act as an advisor to the prime minister and other political leaders.
As king, Charles III will have the opportunity to continue to promote the causes he has supported during his lifetime, such as environmental sustainability and education. He will also be expected to uphold the tradition of the British monarchy and promote the unity and stability of the United Kingdom.
UK-Spain relations
Relations between the British and Spanish monarchies have evolved significantly since the 18th century, and are now very active and productive. Both countries have been, for many years, members of the European Union (until Brexit), NATO and the Council of Europe. They also share a strategic alliance in the framework of the Atlantic Alliance.
It is important to note that there is also strong cooperation in the cultural and educational fields. The British Council and the Instituto Cervantes have established a number of programmes and projects to promote the culture and language of both countries.
Want to learn more?
There are many friendly ties between the UK and Spain, and one example of this is the cultural exchange that exists between the two nations. 😁
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Head image by bortescristian from Wikipedia
