# Suppose Prince Charles doesn't want to be King for long (or at all)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546 "2013-07-26T01:49:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/81 "2013-07-31T17:23:19Z")
One analogy I heard, was that Catholic was the previous centuries’ communist… Communists were reviled in the 1900’s in the USA and the west as being tools of Russia (and China) more than believers in the rights of the workers to own the means of production etc etc.To a good extent, rightly so, as the local party line seemed to parrot how great the Socialist Paradise was depsite its glaring shortcomings… Similarly, Catholics after Henry VIII for several centuries were seen as fifth columnists in England, promoting the interests of Spain and France, whoever tended to “host” the pope; also aggravated by regular wars with those papist countries. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/82 "2013-07-31T19:29:50Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I took it as a satiric pile-on against all the prejudices of British society in the 30s: “She’s American!” “she’s divorced!” “I heard she was Chinese!” etc. I heard she’s a giant chicken! ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/83 "2013-07-31T20:12:53Z")
Private gossip in upper-class circles said she had worked in high-end brothels in Shanghai and had supposedly learned secret techniques that compensated for his [supposed] sexual inadequencies. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/84 "2013-07-31T20:18:03Z")
Once you get past the idea that they are reptilian aliens who eat human babies, the rest comes pretty easy. > [@](#): > > I was objecting to the casually homophobic language of ‘gay orgies in the streets’. It’s akin to saying ‘hey, the King can marry black people, let’s throw some friend chicken parties’. Get over it, is my advice. That was an extension of the conversation that was occurring. Somebody is bound to be offended by nearly anything online- worry about the fact helps nobody. Instead, focusing your anger on something actually useful and relevant might be a more effective way to be the change you seek. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/85 "2013-07-31T23:21:37Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > 1. King Philip - There has never been a Philip who was king of England/the UK, and I don’t see Charles as the type to be the first. > . Well, there was [one.](http://rbsche.people.wm.edu/H111_doc_marriageofqueenmary.html) > [@](#): > > first, it is covenanted, and agreed that as soon as conveniently may be, true and perfect marriage, by words of the time present, shall be contracted, solemnised and consummated in England, between the said most noble prince, and the said most virtuous lady, the queen; by force of which marriage so celebrated and consummated, **the said most noble prince Philip shall during the said marriage have and enjoy jointly together with the said most gracious queen his wife, the style, honour and kingly name of the realms and dominions unto the said most noble queen appertaining** ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/86 "2013-08-01T01:14:47Z")
We don’t speak of him. Philip? Philip who? ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/87 "2013-08-01T09:35:45Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > Get over it, is my advice. That was an extension of the conversation that was occurring. > Somebody is bound to be offended by nearly anything online- worry about the fact helps nobody. > Instead, focusing your anger on something actually useful and relevant might be a more effective way to be the change you seek. Thanks for the advice, but, erm, fuck that. Casually racist comments wouldn’t be tolerated, so I don’t see why this should be either. It will never stop if it’s allowed to be ignored. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/88 "2013-08-01T11:29:29Z")
> [@williambaskerville](#): > > This would raise an interesting situation for an heir to the British throne who married a Catholic :- any heirs he/she produced would, presumably, be Catholic. Why? > [@Colophon](#): > > There seems to be a lot of presumption, mainly from Americans (and Australians, strangely), that Charles will somehow be an unpopular king and that he “should” hand the crown over to William. I don’t think that’s the case at all. He’ll likely be unpopular with me. He can’t keep his nose out of things (like architecture) and he keeps going on about that homeopathy bollocks. Fingers crossed for another 20 years of Elizabeth II. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/89 "2013-08-01T13:52:59Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Thanks for the advice, but, erm, fuck that. Casually racist comments wouldn’t be tolerated, so I don’t see why this should be either. It will never stop if it’s allowed to be ignored. In terms of ‘public orgies’ it is not unreasonable to assume that a gay one would be slightly more offensive to more people. Politically incorrect or not that’s just a fact. Part of equality means accepting being made fun of like everybody else… ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/90 "2013-08-01T14:06:08Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > What would happen if an heir to throne fell in love with a Catholic, who agreed to convert? Would that work? (Because I believe the Spanish royal family are also way down the line for the British throne) Autumn Kelly, who married Peter Phillips (the queen’s oldest grandson) was a Catholic who converted before the wedding. Peter is still in the line of succession. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/91 "2013-08-01T15:28:14Z")
I agree that, having wait so long to ascend the British throne, Charles is very unlikely to immediately forsake it. For an interesting fictional look at what the reign of King Charles III might hold, check out the British political thriller _To Play The King_ (but be sure to watch _House of Cards_ beforehand; it sets the stage and is quite good in its own right). The monarch, played by Michael Kitchen (better known for _Foyle’s War_) is never named but is clearly patterned after the current Prince of Wales. > [@Mk\_VII](#): > > In past centuries Catholics were perceived as presenting a clear and present danger to the body politic. Critics could point to the Powder Treason, which was the 9/11 of its day, and the Popish Plot (which almost certainly never existed outside the minds of Oates and Bedloe) and the Old Pretender and the Young Pretender, who both organised invasions of varying degrees of dangerousness. An attempt to mitigate the anti Catholic laws led to the Gordon Riots in the 18th c. and as late as the 1830s the repeal of the laws which barred Catholics from public office could still prompt hostility in conservative quarters. IIRC various Popes had excommunicated Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I, and actively tried to subvert Elizabeth’s reign, incl. sanctioning assassination. There were, for many years after the break with Rome, what seemed to be very good reasons for keeping Catholics from the line of succession. ---
**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:** [August 1, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/92 "2013-08-01T18:59:06Z")
> [@zev\_steinhardt](#): > > Autumn Kelly, who married Peter Phillips (the queen’s oldest grandson) was a Catholic who converted before the wedding. > > Peter is still in the line of succession. > > Zev Steinhardt Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2013, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/93 "2013-08-02T13:23:20Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Why? > > He’ll likely be unpopular with me. He can’t keep his nose out of things (like architecture) I have seen this complaint in this thread at least twice now. What is the problem with the king, or king to be, talking about his feelings on architecture? Out of all the things he could be sticking his nose in, it seems like this is a non issue. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2013, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/94 "2013-08-02T14:49:29Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Well I understand the popular thought, but the King/Queen is also the head of the Church of England, no? Is it now acceptable for the head of the church to be divorced and remarried? That was the issue with Edward. The monarch is the head of the CoE and divorce is a big-ass no-no with CoE. At least it was back then. Edward could not be King and head of the CoE if he was married to a divorced woman. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/95 "2013-08-02T17:27:50Z")
> [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](#): > > I have seen this complaint in this thread at least twice now. What is the problem with the king, or king to be, talking about his feelings on architecture? Out of all the things he could be sticking his nose in, it seems like this is a non issue. If you dislike someone enough, it doesn’t matter WHAT their interests are. The hatee being interest in it is enough cause to hate the interest. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2013, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/96 "2013-08-02T22:46:37Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > That was the issue with Edward. The monarch is the head of the CoE and divorce is a big-ass no-no with CoE. At least it was back then. Edward could not be King and head of the CoE if he was married to a divorced woman. I’ve never really understood this. The CoE was _founded_ on the principle of royal divorce being OK! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/97 "2013-08-03T04:05:12Z")
No - Henry VIII sought an annulment, on the grounds that he should never have been allowed to marry his brother’s widow. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/98 "2013-08-03T10:47:16Z")
> [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](#): > > I have seen this complaint in this thread at least twice now. What is the problem with the king, or king to be, talking about his feelings on architecture? Out of all the things he could be sticking his nose in, it seems like this is a non issue. It’s not just architecture, and it’s not just his feelings. He uses his not-inconsiderable influence to push people in the directions he personally approves of, or push them away from positions he doesn’t approve of. The monarchy is not a soapbox for personal opinions. Anyway, the greater sin is his pushing of homeopathy. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/99 "2013-08-03T15:45:09Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > No - Henry VIII sought an annulment, on the grounds that he should never have been allowed to marry his brother’s widow. And then he sought another, between bouts of uxoricide. Neither of which practices are quite so easy in the modern Church of England. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546/100 "2013-08-03T16:13:09Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > What would happen if an heir to throne fell in love with a Catholic, who agreed to convert? Would that work? (Because I believe the Spanish royal family are also way down the line for the British throne) It has to work, otherwise Charles could not take the throne. In fact, that is a partial starting point of the mess that was Charles’ marriage to Diana stems from. Charles and Camilla met and dated when they were young, but the royals thought she was unsuitable and she was Catholic to boot. Charles got sent overseas without expressing his feelings (or maybe still unsure of them) and Camilla married Andrew Parker-Bowles. Charles was reportedly fairly cut up about the whole thing, and some years later they resumed a relationship, in spite of their relative marital situations. Camilla was confined into the CoE sometime prior to her marriage to Charles, as had to happen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-prince-charles-doesnt-want-to-be-king-for-long-or-at-all/664546.md?page=6)