King Charles: Determined to keep the monarchy relevant; how his wealth plays a role

An “enormously energetic” King Charles has four key priorities post-Coronation and an enormous personal wealth that is sure to come in handy.

When the party’s over … beyond the flags, cardboard cutouts and pageantry of Coronation weekend, King Charles will be thinking about his next steps.

King Charles is a driven man with drive with a long list of things to do – but, at 74 years old, a potentially limited time frame in which to achieve them.

Post-Coronation, his priorities amid competing demands will boil down to four key issues: striving to keep his kingdom united, championing environmental causes, working with underprivileged youth and addressing, where appropriate, the cost-of-living crisis.

“He has enormous energy,” an aide told me at Buckingham Palace. “The pace here is fast.”

Those priorities all play into another mission: future-proofing, and if necessary reforming and remoulding the ruling institution itself into a “public service monarchy”.

Keep it together … retaining the unity of the United Kingdom is a huge issue for Charles.

“King Charles’s first priority is the union of the United Kingdom,” said broadcaster and commentator Gavin Esler, referring to fractious devolutionary politics in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland especially. “The monarch has an important role, though it is a subtle one. King Charles is a figurehead and symbol of unity, but he cannot solve political problems.”

The Commonwealth is also an area for focus, with some of its 54 member states reassessing their desire to keep the king as head of state. Esler sees opportunity in challenge, saying Charles, who has a deep attachment to the 92-year-old institution, is well-placed to “emphasise the ways in which the Commonwealth can bring diverse nations together in a time of need, to help those suffering from the consequences of climate change, poverty and migration”.

We’re in it together … in his position as head of the Commonwealth, King Charles met republican Aussie PM Anthony Albanese in London ahead of the Coronation.

Charles was an environmental campaigner long before it was acceptable – indeed he was widely mocked as a “tree-hugger” – but his passion has not diminished. Indeed some UK commentators have suggested his eco-credentials are what is needed now to depoliticise an issue which needs long-term solutions rather than short-term politics.

In a similar vein, while the wealth of the House of Windsor can make speaking out on economic issues somewhat delicate, income inequality and poverty are matters the king, plus the Prince of Wales, are expected to address.

The King has amassed an impressive personal fortune during his lifetime, with analysis by The Sunday Times last month revealing he is worth £600 million (about $A1.1 billion).

His wealth surpasses other millionaires like David and Victoria Beckham and Sir Elton John.

‘Unique soft power’ … how Charles wields influence is different now, as king, compared to his time as Prince of Wales when he could be more vocal.

Faith will remain a key personal issue for Charles – he is a committed Christian – and his vocal support for other religions, exemplified by his groundbreaking decision to draw them into his Coronation ceremony, shows his understanding that he is ruler of a far more diverse society than his late mother.

As king, Charles may be more constrained in his support for certain causes than he was as prince, but broadcaster and biographer Jonathan Dimbleby, who knows him well, says the monarch will exercise a “unique soft power” in his quest to “make a difference” – and that any politician who ignores Charles’ 50 years of experience, engaging with people, causes and cultures from across the globe, does so at their own risk.

‘To make a difference’ … journalist Jonathan Dimbleby says that has always been the king’s key aim.

And in an age when some question the relevance and point of the monarchy, it is interesting how many enormous issues the king is expected to tackle – from engaging with foreign powers in Europe and Asia on behalf of the UK, to the thorny topics of historical abuses like slavery and the abuse of indigenous peoples in former colonies.

But behind it all, lies one key fact.

“He knows that the monarchy will survive only if the public continues to believe that it provides a unique service to the nation. That is never far from his mind.” Dimbleby said.