King Charles is celebrating his 78th birthday today, and royal reporter Jasmine Carey has expressed surprise at how successful his reign has been so far, despite the many challenges he has faced.
Over the last four years since becoming monarch, King Charles has faced challenge after challenge. Whether it be his cancer diagnosis, his disgraced brother Andrew, his unpredictable son Prince Harry, or even just the sometimes challenging political world he has to navigate, it has not been easy. When he took to the throne in 2022, he likely did not expect half the challenges he has faced.
Unexpected Public Support
Carey notes that King Charles probably did not expect the love he would receive as monarch either. The King has not always been the public's favourite royal, especially not in the 1990s, when it was clear he had cheated on Princess Diana with the now Queen Camilla. At that time, he and Camilla were practically public enemy number one.
Many could not even imagine a day when they would like to see Charles on the throne. But it seems times have changed. Since becoming King, the monarch has received overwhelming public support. Popularity polls show most Brits like him, and public reaction to him is almost always positive at royal engagements.
Proving Critics Wrong
Even younger people this week could be seen to be excited to see the King, including school-age teenagers who traditionally are not supposed to be that bothered by royalty at all, according to polls.
Carey believes the King has outdone himself and has certainly proved many people wrong. He has proven that he can be a successful King and that he can also be relatable. He has also proven that he learnt some very valuable lessons from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He does not hide away, and instead seems to believe in the importance of needing to be seen by the public.
Even during his chemotherapy treatment, the King has taken to the public stage many times. He has shown that duty comes first for him, something many may once have doubted about him. On his 78th birthday, Carey hopes he puts his feet up, enjoys some cakes, and knows what a great job he has done in his four years as King.
