# How will the coronation of Charles III differ from that of Elizabeth II? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 28, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984 "2011-04-28T01:33:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/81 "2011-05-01T17:41:31Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > 😕 The POTUS gets the WH and Camp David. The Queen gets half a dozen palaces and **added** to that is the expense of the PM’s establishment at No. 10. How would merging them, as it were, add to the total expense? The US President doesn’t move without a gigantic military operation, every day, every location. Understandable, like, because it’s a dangerous job. William and Kate rode around London in an open topped carriage, and later in an open topped car. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/82 "2011-05-01T17:47:05Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The US President doesn’t move without a gigantic military operation, every day, every location. Understandable, like, because it’s a dangerous job. William and Kate rode around London in an open topped carriage, and later in an open topped car. Since you put it that way . . . come to think of it . . . I guess there is really no **one** person in the UK whom it is really worth an enemy’s trouble to assassinate. Not the PM, not even the Queen. (Of course they still need security, or nutcases will try for their own reasons.) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/83 "2011-05-01T17:53:00Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > 1. Will there be any public protest in the UK at spending this kind of money on a lavish public ceremony which every other monarchy in Europe has dropped or simplified, to glorify an anachronistic institution while so many poor people, etc.? (Was there any in 1953?) Of course there will be public protest. The questions are whether it will be more or less than the nominal level present, and how the authorities will deal with it. For example, will the leading anarchists be whisked away for a day the way they were for last week’s wedding, or will free speech zones be better delineated, or will the authorities find other ways of keeping the event clear of nuisances who wish to loudly advertise their opinions? [http://www.cveitch.org/?cat=1](http://www.cveitch.org/?cat=1) > **[Not the royal wedding activists say they were held by police to avert protests](https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/may/01/wedding-activists-rounded-up-police)** > > Republicans and others say they were held long enough to ensure they did not disrupt the celebrations – but not charged ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/84 "2011-05-01T18:10:40Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Since you put it that way . . . come to think of it . . . I guess there is really no **one** person in the UK whom it is really worth an enemy’s trouble to assassinate. Not the PM, not even the Queen. (Of course they still need security, or nutcases will try for their own reasons.) There’s been a few scares: the Queen, and the Queen’s horse thought they were getting shot at in 1981 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5FD3-CsMbc](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5FD3-CsMbc) . That’s a good horse, that. Charles seemed unconcerned here in (I think) New Zealand [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9kbOTJGkT8&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9kbOTJGkT8&feature=related) Princess Anne was the intended victim of a kidnapping [Anne, Princess Royal - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne,_Princess_Royal#Kidnapping_attempt) ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/85 "2011-05-01T18:12:15Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Sounding like an idiot and sounding like a drunk are not quite the same thing. 😉 And sounding like a drunk, hateful, class focused idiot is another thing altogether. But one Churchill was rather good at. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/86 "2011-05-01T18:15:32Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > leading anarchists 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/87 "2011-05-01T18:24:57Z")
> [@villa](#): > > And sounding like a drunk, hateful, class focused idiot is another thing altogether. But one Churchill was rather good at. I read Churchill’s \*The Second World War \* (the whole lot). Impressive, eh? Well, the man could write, but…no, read Field Marshall Alan Brooke’s Letters. Churchill was a stone cold nutter, and the General Staff seem to have spent a big chunk of WWII talking him down. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/88 "2011-05-01T19:37:35Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > There’s been a few scares: the Queen, and the Queen’s horse thought they were getting shot at in 1981 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5FD3-CsMbc](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5FD3-CsMbc) . That’s a good horse, that. Also a reminder that the guys in the pretty red uniforms with the big furry hats aren’t _just_ for show - they’re real guards and went into the crowd after the guy. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/89 "2011-05-01T20:07:25Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I read Churchill’s \*The Second World War \* (the whole lot). Impressive, eh? Well, the man could write, but…no, read Field Marshall Alan Brooke’s Letters. Churchill was a stone cold nutter, and the General Staff seem to have spent a big chunk of WWII talking him down. From what? Did he want to parachute into Berlin and strangle Hitler himself, or something? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/90 "2011-05-01T20:08:53Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Also a reminder that the guys in the pretty red uniforms with the big furry hats aren’t _just_ for show - they’re real guards and went into the crowd after the guy. Toy soldiers with real ammo! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/91 "2011-05-01T20:13:55Z")
Diana was a member of the nobility–true, she was not royal, but she was hardly a commoner. She was an Earl’s daughter–a Lady. It may be a “courtesy” title, but her background was not near the same as Kate’s or any other commoner’s. I really don’t get the Charles hate. I get the Camilla hate and share it a bit. Not that I’m a huge fan of Diana–all I think of when people talk of her is a lamb to slaughter and then a media diva. But who among us could live the fish-bowl that she did and not become odd? I hope that that doesn’t happen for Wills and Kate, but it probably will. Charles would be a perfectly adequate King. Having strong opinions about something as a Prince does not mean he would still air them as King. I think he’s probably learned a thing or two about dealing with the PM etc from his mum. There is no good reason for him to abdicate. Nor is there good reason for Elizabeth to step down. It is what it is, the British monarchy. It survived Edward’s abdication and other, truly BAD kings prior to this; I think it can withstand a few years of Charles. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/92 "2011-05-01T20:20:24Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I really don’t get the Charles hate. I cannot speak for others, but I don’t hate Charles; I just don’t think he’s up to the job. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/93 "2011-05-01T20:25:01Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Diana was a member of the nobility–true, she was not royal, but she was hardly a commoner. She was an Earl’s daughter–a Lady. > > It may be a “courtesy” title, but her background was not near the same as Kate’s or any other commoner’s. “Commoner” is a specific term in British law. From [Wiki:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commoners_in_the_United_Kingdom) > [@](#): > > In British law, a commoner is someone who is neither the Sovereign nor a peer. Therefore, any member of the Royal Family who is not a peer, such as Prince Harry of Wales or Anne, Princess Royal, is a commoner, as is any member of a peer’s family, including someone who holds only a courtesy title, such as the Earl of Arundel and Surrey (eldest son of the Duke of Norfolk) or Lady Victoria Hervey (a daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bristol). ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/94 "2011-05-01T20:25:29Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Diana was a member of the nobility–true, she was not royal, but she was hardly a commoner. She was an Earl’s daughter–a Lady. Under the strictest definition of commoner, even William was one until Friday at 8:00 AM UK time (when he became a Duke). ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/95 "2011-05-01T20:27:15Z")
There’s commoner and then there’s commoner. I’d like to be a Diana like commoner, rather than a run of the mill one… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/96 "2011-05-01T20:27:17Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Under the strictest definition of commoner, even William was one until Friday at 8:00 AM UK time (when he became a Duke). Eh? Wouldn’t “HRH Prince William of Wales” already have fallen outside the commoner category? Wouldn’t **any** HRH? ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/97 "2011-05-01T20:32:46Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Eh? Wouldn’t “HRH Prince William of Wales” already have fallen outside the commoner category? Wouldn’t **any** HRH? No, at least not legally. Anyone not a peer or the Sovereign is a commoner. In everyday use, the word’s used much more as you’d imagine though, and it’s only usually the Daily Mail that gets snotty about using it correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/98 "2011-05-01T23:26:29Z")
I believe the heir can marry a widow, so technically, he or she doesn’t have to be a virgin, in the strictest sense. It’s happened previously. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Why would Charles be such a disaster on the throne? People said the same thing about his great-great grandfather, Edward VII. Their fears were pretty much unfounded – and that was when the monarch had a great deal more power than he/she does now. (Interestingly, one of Edward’s mistresses was Camilla’s great-grandmother. Unlike Charles, he had quite a number, not just one) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/99 "2011-05-01T23:32:46Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > For instance: IRL, Prince William’s non-royal career has been in the military, an entirely respectable and traditional calling for a royal, and I have never heard of his having any other aspirations. But, suppose William had always been stage-struck, and majored in theater at St. Andrews, and even republicans had to concede he performed brilliantly in many productions, real next-Olivier (or whatever the theatrical byword would be in the UK today) material. So far, I suppose, little to no controversy – a theater major is obviously appropriate preparation for a king’s role. (What, he should major in history or PolySci or public administration, and get to thinking he can give the PM advice and shit?) > [@Steophan](#): > > He will be expected to give the PM advice, that’s probably the most important part of the job, alongside diplomacy. Several ex-PMs have said that the Queen’s experience has been useful, and she has been remarkably non-partisan. > Because no-one expects him to be good at the above, and because he looks like an idiot. Basically, George W. Bush. I suspect this is a PR problem, rather than actual fact, but I’ve never heard anyone say they look forward to his reign. * * * > [@Steophan](#): > > Well, the [rules on alternative medicine are being changed](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13215010), and as you say Charles is interested in that. As King, it would be completely inappropriate for him to comment publicly on these changes. It’s unlikely to be a constitutional issue, but the monarch does not have the right to speak against the government. It’s seems you’re impossible to satisfy. On the one hand, you don’t want the king to be a fool – that is, you don’t want him to be an actor/soldier/host and nothing more, with no knowledge or ideas in his head relevant to public policy. OTOH, you don’t want the king to be a meddler – but what is the good of his having any ideas in his head, if he does not even meddle? ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984/100 "2011-05-01T23:56:25Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > It’s seems you’re impossible to satisfy. On the one hand, you don’t want the king to be a fool – that is, you don’t want him to be an actor/soldier/host and nothing more, with no knowledge or ideas in his head relevant to public policy. OTOH, you don’t want the king to be a meddler – but what is the good of his having any ideas in his head, if he does not even meddle? It’s the public pronouncements that would be the issue, not the fact that he has opinions. Look at what the Queen does, and doesn’t, say in public, that is how I would hope Charles would behave as well. I imagine he will, I don’t think he’s stupid. I do think Charles will be a lesser monarch that his mother, but almost anyone would struggle to follow her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-differ-from-that-of-elizabeth-ii/579984.md?page=6)