Who is King Charles: a (not always entirely objective) analysis

I’m not necessarily a Royal fan. I was a fan of the Queen. She was a fascinating person who carried on with her work without complaining and major scandals – which makes her quite unique in her family. Speaking of which, I’m not a fan of Harry and Meghan, who I’ve mentioned once, twice, or three times. And what about Karl? Now he takes center stage, which in the past was usually for rather negative reasons. And that’s pretty unfair.

Don’t get me wrong, Charles had his bad moments – and at times he was a total jerk. He probably first presented it publicly when he and Lady Diana were asked if they were in love when they got engaged. “Of course,” Di said. And Charles replied with a delicate steamroller, “Whatever ‘in love’ means.” Uff.

And, of course, he cheated on Diana with Camilla, which ended up being the death knell for his marriage and razing his popularity to the ground. This still shapes his image for many. Or again, because when the drama resurfaced in season five of The Crown, a whole new generation could hate Charles. It’s a shame because that’s not the only thing that makes him special.

Charles was born in 1948 in a world where the royal family was praised and loved just after World War II. It was a world where he was closer to his nanny than to his parents, who were often gone for months. And it was a world where guys didn’t have to be sensitive and shy. They must be strong and do as they are told.

Karel did the latter. Although he was the future king, he was not allowed to decide almost anything for himself – whether it was which school to attend or which woman to marry.

And that brings us back to Diana, a tender 20-year-old, while Charles got to blow out 32 candles on his last birthday. Today we call this “problematic”. On the other hand, it is quite difficult to find someone your age with the right name and no past. Translated: a perfect virgin. Camilla couldn’t offer that with the best will in the world.

In fact, Charles and Diana were completely different, which someone might have noticed if they had met more than 13 times before getting engaged! So they both soon plunged into affairs, and we all know how that turned out.

It’s just a tragedy. And to this day it overshadows everything Charles has done. Because he has learned from his past and wants to do better. He is close to his sons – at least one of them. But he still calls Harry his “sweet boy” – even after his royal departure. And his Netflix show. And his tell it all book.

Charles also didn’t twiddle his thumbs like a spoiled celebrity child, but found something to do while he waited for the throne. He has campaigned against climate change and for conservation since the 1970s. He was actually ahead of his time.

And with his self-founded charity, the Prince’s Trust, he has helped thousands of young people from difficult backgrounds to a better future.

Does it need the royals? Of course not. But Charles is modern. At least for a king. And sometimes he’s also an old white man. But I think the crown could have landed on worse heads. After all, no one else is so well prepared for the task. And so eager to prove yourself. (aargauerzeitung.ch)