Prince Charles entering ‘final chapter in legacy’ says expert
Philip Benwell, national chairman at the Australian Monarchist League, has noted Prince Charles’s reign won’t be similar to the one of the Queen after he spent more than five decades as Prince of Wales. Mr Benwell told Express.co.uk: “Prince Charles has made it clear that at present he is not governed by the same restrictions as his mother but when he becomes king he will be.
“The advent of King Charles, or King George as he has earlier indicated he would wish to be called, will, of course, be far different from the reign of the Queen.”
Prince Charles was crowned Prince of Wales more than 50 years ago.
During these decades, he had been able to speak his mind about issues close to his heart such as climate change and plastic pollution.
Prince Charles has also been accused of political meddling after he sent in his private capacity in the mid-2000s letters to ministers in seven Government departments to discuss topics close to his heart such as culture, agricultural issues and illegal fishing.
Prince Charles was crowned Prince of Wales five decades ago (Image: GETTY)
Prince Charles and Princess Diana in Australia (Image: GETTY)
These notes, released in 2015, were described as “harmless” and “underwhelming”.
But critics of the monarchy or the Prince of Wales have deemed these memos as a worrying act carried out by the future head of state of 16 countries.
The Queen, on the other hand, during her almost seven-decade-long reign, has remained strictly neutral and has managed to conceal her views and feelings on most topics.
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Prince Charles and Camilla during their tour to Australia in 2018 (Image: GETTY)
However, the Prince of Wales has made it clear during the year of his 70th birthday he won’t “go on in exactly the same way” as he has in the role of heir to the throne.
In a BBC documentary celebrating his 70th birthday, Prince Charles said: “You know, I’ve tried to make sure whatever I’ve done has been non-party political, and I think it’s vital to remember there’s only room for one sovereign at a time, not two.
“So, you can’t be the same as the sovereign if you’re the Prince of Wales or the heir.
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Prince Charles’s reign will be ‘far different’ from the Queen’s, it has been claimed (Image: GETTY)
Prince Charles and Princess Diana during their first tour to Australia in 1983 (Image: GETTY)
“But the idea somehow that I’m going to go on in exactly the same way, if I have to succeed, is complete nonsense because the two – the two situations – are completely different.”
Mr Benwell also believes the end of the Queen’s reign will be a hard blow for many royal fans, but Australians are prepared to welcome her heir on the throne.
However, he acknowledged there is still some resistance among fans of Princess Diana.
He said: “A number of older Australians still mourn Princess Diana and blame Charles for the breakup of the marriage.
Prince Charles is the heir apparent to the throne (Image: EXPRESS)
“However, their numbers are declining and younger generations of Australians are not interested in the past and are quite prepared to welcome Prince Charles as King.”
Prince Charles and Princess Diana famously visited Australia together for the first time in 1983, just months after the birth of their firstborn.
The 40-day tour helped Princess Diana become a beloved public figure.
The Prince of Wales has since returned to Australia several times, with Diana and later with his second wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince Charles and the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament in London (Image: GETTY)
He and the Duchess last toured Australia in 2018.
Mr Benwell said royal visits are always a great success and strengthen the position of the Crown in the country.
He said: “Whenever the Queen, the Prince of Wales or his children and their families have visited Australia, enormous crowds have come out to greet them.
“Far more than ever for a visiting US president or British prime minister.
“Royal visits put heart into and personalise the monarchy in this country.”
