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UK Royal Family: Who is in it and what does the King do? UK Royal Family: What does the King do?
(30 days later)
King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, are on a four-day visit to Germany, the King's first overseas trip as monarch. On Saturday 6 May, the King will become the 40th British monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey.
A planned visit to France was postponed because of continuing protests over the government's controversial pension reform. He became king on the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, in September.
Preparations for the King's coronation in May are well under way.
When did Charles III become king?
King Charles is the firstborn son of Queen Elizabeth II, He inherited the throne on 8 September 2022, immediately after her death, at the age of 96, at Balmoral Castle.
A period of national mourning was declared, and he was formally proclaimed King two days later.
Thousands of people queued up to see the Queen's coffin lying in state in Westminster Hall in the days leading up to her funeral at Westminster Abbey, which was attended by 2,000 people, including leaders and dignitaries from around the world.
Afterwards, her coffin was taken to Windsor Castle, where she was buried alongside her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
This was history - solemn, spectacular and intense
Extraordinary photos from the Queen’s funeral
What does the King do?What does the King do?
The King is the UK head of state. However, his powers are symbolic and ceremonial, and he remains politically-neutral. The King is the UK head of state. However, his powers are symbolic and ceremonial, and he remains politically neutral.
He receives daily dispatches from the government in a red leather box, including briefings ahead of important meetings, or documents needing his signature.He receives daily dispatches from the government in a red leather box, including briefings ahead of important meetings, or documents needing his signature.
The prime minister normally meets the King on a Wednesday at Buckingham Palace, to keep him informed on government matters.The prime minister normally meets the King on a Wednesday at Buckingham Palace, to keep him informed on government matters.
These meetings are completely private and there is no official record of what is said.These meetings are completely private and there is no official record of what is said.
King Charles with Rishi Sunak, the second prime minister of his reignKing Charles with Rishi Sunak, the second prime minister of his reign
The King also has a number of parliamentary functions: The King also has a number of official parliamentary roles:
Appointing a government - the leader of the party that wins a general election is usually called to Buckingham Palace, where they are formally invited to form a government. The King also formally dissolves a government before a general election Appointing a government - the leader of the party that wins a general election is usually called to Buckingham Palace, where they are invited to form a government. The King also formally dissolves a government before a general election
State Opening and the King's Speech - the King begins the parliamentary year with the State Opening ceremony, where he sets out the government's plans, in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of LordsState Opening and the King's Speech - the King begins the parliamentary year with the State Opening ceremony, where he sets out the government's plans, in a speech delivered from the throne in the House of Lords
Royal Assent - when a piece of legislation is passed through Parliament, it must be formally approved by the King in order to become law. The last time Royal Assent was refused was in 1708Royal Assent - when a piece of legislation is passed through Parliament, it must be formally approved by the King in order to become law. The last time Royal Assent was refused was in 1708
In addition, the King hosts visiting heads of state, and meets foreign ambassadors and high commissioners based in the UK. He leads the annual Remembrance event in November at the Cenotaph in London. In addition, the monarch leads the annual Remembrance event in November at the Cenotaph in London.
The King is also head of the Commonwealth, an association of 56 independent countries and 2.5 billion people. For 14 of these countries, known as the Commonwealth realms, he is their head of state. The King also hosts visiting heads of state - such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa - and regularly meets foreign ambassadors and high commissioners based in the UK.
On his first state visit abroad, Charles praised the UK's relationship with Germany, telling a banquet that the two nations were "natural partners". For his first state visit, Charles visited Germany, where he became the first British monarch to address the German parliament.
He also addressed the German federal parliament, the Bundestag, in German. The King is also head of the Commonwealth, an association of 56 independent countries spanning 2.5 billion people - and head of state for 14 of these, known as the Commonwealth realms.
The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
Camilla, the Queen Consort, supports the King in carrying out his work and undertakes her own public engagements on behalf of the 90 charities she supports.
Many of these focus on health and wellbeing and work with people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
King Charles III, the new monarchKing Charles III, the new monarch
What happens at a coronation? Camilla, the new Queen Consort
A coronation is the ceremony at which the monarch is formally crowned. It takes place after a period of mourning for the previous sovereign. What will happen at the coronation?
Elizabeth II became Queen on 6 February 1952, on the death of her father King George VI - but was not crowned until 2 June 1953. During the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the King will be crowned alongside the Queen Consort.
The Queen was the 39th sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey The coronation is an Anglican religious service, carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The monarch is anointed with "holy oil", and receives the orb and sceptre, symbols of royalty.
King Charles III's coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. He will be the 40th monarch to be invested there. At the climax of the ceremony, the Archbishop will place St Edward's Crown on Charles's head - a solid gold crown, dating from 1661.
During the ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.
The occasion will be marked by an additional bank holiday across the UK on Monday 8 May 2023.
The coronation is an Anglican religious service, carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The monarch is anointed with "holy oil", and receives the orb and sceptre, symbols of royalty. At the climax of the ceremony, the Archbishop will place St Edward's Crown on Charles's head - a solid gold crown, dating from 1661.
This is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, and is only worn by the monarch at the moment of coronation itself.This is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, and is only worn by the monarch at the moment of coronation itself.
Unlike royal weddings, the coronation is a state occasion - the government pays for it, and ultimately decides the guest list.Unlike royal weddings, the coronation is a state occasion - the government pays for it, and ultimately decides the guest list.
Queen Elizabeth's coronation was the first to be broadcast live on TV. It was watched by more than 20 million people.
What we know about King Charles's coronationWhat we know about King Charles's coronation
Who is going to the coronation - and who isn't?
Your full guide to how Coronation day will unfold
Does King Charles need a coronation?
Who else is in the Royal Family?Who else is in the Royal Family?
Members of the Royal Family celebrated the Queen's official birthday at Buckingham Palace in 2019Members of the Royal Family celebrated the Queen's official birthday at Buckingham Palace in 2019
Prince William is the elder son of King Charles and his first wife, the late Princess Diana. Following the death of the Queen, he became the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and retained the title of Duke of Cambridge. He is married to Catherine, Princess of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. They have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Prince William is the elder son of King Charles and his first wife, the late Princess Diana. After the death of the Queen, he became the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall while retaining his previous Duke of Cambridge title. He is married to Catherine, Princess of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. They have three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) was the Queen's second child and only daughter. She is married to Vice Adm Timothy Laurence. She has two children with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips: Peter Phillips and Zara TindallThe Princess Royal (Princess Anne) was the Queen's second child and only daughter. She is married to Vice Adm Timothy Laurence. She has two children with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips: Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall
The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Edward) was the Queen's youngest child. He is married to the Duchess of Edinburgh (Sophie Rhys-Jones). They have two children: Lady Louise Windsor and the Earl of Wessex (James Mountbatten-Windsor)The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Edward) was the Queen's youngest child. He is married to the Duchess of Edinburgh (Sophie Rhys-Jones). They have two children: Lady Louise Windsor and the Earl of Wessex (James Mountbatten-Windsor)
The Duke of York (Prince Andrew) was the Queen's second son. He has two daughters with his former wife, the Duchess of York (Sarah Ferguson): Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Andrew stepped down as a "working Royal" in 2019 after a controversial BBC Newsnight interview about allegations that he had sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre. In February 2022, he paid an undisclosed sum to settle the civil sexual assault case Ms Guiffre had brought against him in the USThe Duke of York (Prince Andrew) was the Queen's second son. He has two daughters with his former wife, the Duchess of York (Sarah Ferguson): Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Prince Andrew stepped down as a "working Royal" in 2019 after a controversial BBC Newsnight interview about allegations that he had sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre. In February 2022, he paid an undisclosed sum to settle the civil sexual assault case Ms Guiffre had brought against him in the US
The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) is William's younger brother. He is married to the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle). They have two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In 2020, they announced they were stepping back as senior royals The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) is William's younger brother. He is married to the Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle). They have two children: Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In 2020, they announced they were stepping back as senior royals and moved to California
What are Harry and Meghan doing now?
After stepping back as senior royals, the couple moved to Montecito in California, saying they wanted greater freedom in which to raise their family.
Harry remained a prince, and the couple kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, but are no longer addressed as His/Her Royal Highness (HRH).
The Duke of Sussex also gave up his official military titles.
Harry and Meghan were married in May 2018
Since June 2020, the couple has not received any money from Royal sources, and gets much of their income from commercial arrangements.
The Sussexes' media company, Archewell Productions, has made various podcasts for Spotify and a range of programmes for Netflix.
This included a six-part documentary series in which the couple discussed life in the Royal Family, press intrusion and racism.
Prince Harry's memoir Spare detailed a series of claims about his troubled relationship with his brother and the rest of the Royal Family.
Harry and Meghan returned to the UK for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, and her funeral in September 2023.
In March, their spokesperson confirmed they had been asked to leave Frogmore Cottage, the property in Windsor given to them by the Queen when they married.
The couple also confirmed that they had been contacted about King Charles's coronation, but did not say whether they plan to attend.
Where do Harry and Meghan get their money?
How does succession work?How does succession work?
The order of succession sets out which member of the Royal Family takes over as monarch when the existing one dies or abdicates. First in line - the heir to the throne - is the monarch's eldest child.The order of succession sets out which member of the Royal Family takes over as monarch when the existing one dies or abdicates. First in line - the heir to the throne - is the monarch's eldest child.
Royal succession rules were amended in 2013 to ensure that sons no longer take precedence over older sisters, as was previously the case. Royal succession rules were amended in 2013 to ensure that sons would no longer take precedence over their older sisters.
As Queen Elizabeth's firstborn child, Charles became King on his mother's death and his wife, Camilla, became Queen Consort. King Charles's heir is his elder son, the Prince of Wales.
King Charles's heir is his elder son, Prince William. William's eldest child Prince George is second-in-line to the throne, and his daughter Princess Charlotte is third. Prince Louis is fourth and Prince Harry fifth.
Prince William's eldest child Prince George is second-in-line to the throne, and his daughter Princess Charlotte is third. Prince Louis is fourth and Prince Harry is fifth.
Royal Family tree and line of successionRoyal Family tree and line of succession
How popular is the Royal Family?
To gauge the public mood ahead of the coronation, Panorama commissioned a new YouGov opinion poll.
The results suggest broad support for keeping the monarchy, with 58% preferring it to an elected head of state - which was supported by 26%.
But, below the headline figures the poll highlights how attitudes differ across age groups. In particular, the monarchy seems to have a problem appealing to young people.
While over-65s were the most likely to be supportive of the monarchy at 78%, 18-24-year-olds were the least likely. Only 32% backed the monarchy. This younger group was more likely, at 38%, to prefer an elected head of state, although the remaining 30% didn't know.
Indifference could be an issue as much as opposition, with 78% of the younger age group saying they were "not interested" in the Royal Family.
How popular is the monarchy under King Charles?
Where do the Royal Family live?Where do the Royal Family live?
King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, live in Buckingham Palace. They previously split their time between Clarence House in London and Highgrove in Gloucestershire.King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, live in Buckingham Palace. They previously split their time between Clarence House in London and Highgrove in Gloucestershire.
Other Royal residences include Windsor Castle, Sandringham, in Norfolk, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, and Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire.Other Royal residences include Windsor Castle, Sandringham, in Norfolk, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, in Edinburgh, and Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire.
In August 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved from Kensington Palace in west London to live in Adelaide Cottage, on the Windsor Estate.In August 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales moved from Kensington Palace in west London to live in Adelaide Cottage, on the Windsor Estate.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, with their children on their first day at Lambrook School in Berkshire.The Prince and Princess of Wales, with their children on their first day at Lambrook School in Berkshire.
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
Prince Andrew, Duke of YorkPrince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince LouisPrince Louis
UK Royal FamilyUK Royal Family
Coronation of King Charles IIICoronation of King Charles III
Prince GeorgePrince George
Meghan, Duchess of SussexMeghan, Duchess of Sussex
Prince Harry, Duke of SussexPrince Harry, Duke of Sussex
UK ParliamentUK Parliament
Prince William, Prince of WalesPrince William, Prince of Wales
Queen Elizabeth II
Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II
Princess CharlottePrincess Charlotte
Catherine, Princess of WalesCatherine, Princess of Wales