The Queen sincerely believs in all the old guff about Royalty; to her abdicating would be unacceptable; remember, her father became King because his brother abdicated, and ruined her father's life (as he wasn;t really King material (he could barely speak in public), had never expected to be King.
Thus, Charles will not be King until he is very very old; unless the Queen becomes la-la with old age or incapable in some other way, she'll be Queen until she dies. Here in Holland the Queen that was is senile, and her daughter became Queen at a comparatively early age because of this.
Charles will have maybe ten years as King unless he lives to a very great age, so William will become King comparatively early, but hopefully after he's had his own life (to whatever extent a Royal can have their own life).
Wouldn't you hate to be Prince Charles in so many ways. He was married to a favorite of the people who died young and beautiful and it appeared from this side of the pond that he didn't come off well in that relationship. Then he will follow a very class act in his mother. I can't help but think he will always be unfavorably compared to her. Then his own son seems to be popular so of course people will be gossiping about him leaving the throne so young blood can take it over.
Whenever I've heard Charles speak he comes off very intelligent and caring so maybe I'm off base here. Maybe the people will embrace him.
Oh, I think he'll be a good King... I also think that William might be the last King.
It's great to have these Royals for all you foreigners to come and look at, good for tourism, but the only good thing about having a Monarch as a head of state is that they are not an elected President with power, just a meaningless figurehead who will sign the laws that the majority of the elected representatives (MP's) agree to.
Eventually it's be so anachronistic even an anochronistic country like Britain will get bored of it and become a Republic.
I view a constitutional monarchy as a good thing for the UK, but I also think that chopping off a Royal Head every couple of centuries keeps 'em honest. Maybe Charles could be a good candidate. The ears are perfect handles for lifting his head up afterwards.
Eventually it's be so anachronistic even an anochronistic country like Britain will get bored of it and become a Republic.
Hmm..not too sure about that. Royalty is ingrained in our psyche. The boy scouts do their "Duty to God and the Queen". So do all the Armed forces. Even the Soham murder trial is Regina v Huntley with the Crown prosecuting.
Also she CAN actually over-rule parliament. Admittedly it ain't happened for a couple of hundred years, but nonetheless she could, if, for example, Tony Blair succesfully put through a Bill decreeing that the next election will be held in 30 years time so that thgey can remain in power.
Royalty serves in regard to the power that it prevents rather than any power that it might impose.
The Royalty stepped in the Paul Burrell trial and used its power pretty well. It would seem the reason was to prevent Burrell from spilling more beans. Its like trying to plug a colander, though.
