Eight months have passed since the death of Queen Elizabeth II of England. Crowned after the death of her father when she was still very young, she became the oldest monarch in history: 70 years of reign.

With his disappearance, the throne passes to his eldest son, Carlos III -the oldest monarch to occupy the throne: 73 years old-, who will be crowned king in the coming days.

When is the coronation?

London will be the scene this Saturday of the first coronation of a monarch in seven decades. Carlos III, king since the death of his mother on September 8, 2022, will be officially crowned in a ceremony practically governed by tradition but open to the details of the times, from an air-conditioned car to audiovisual surveillance in detail from from start to finish and from every angle.

The celebrations will officially begin with a procession from Buckingham Palace, around 10:20 a.m. (one hour more in mainland Spain). The monarchs will have military guard and family accompaniment, but the motorcade will be considerably smaller than that which accompanied Elizabeth II in 1953, which was attended by members of other royal families and political leaders.

Carlos III will also introduce as a novelty the cart used to movesince he will not travel in a coach built in 1762 and used in all coronations since 1831. He will use another coach built in 2012, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, and which is lighter and more comfortable .

The procession will arrive at Westminster Abbey shortly before 11:00 a.m. (local time).. The temple has already served for 13 previous coronations – the first took place in the year 1066 – and will host the main acts of the day, for which the Royal House has issued some 2,000 invitations.

The Challenges of Carlos III: Now What?

Since the death of Isabella II last September and with the arrival of Carlos III on the throne, The challenges the new monarch will face are not uncommon.

Effects of Brexit

On June 23, 2016, it was held at UK and Gibraltar a referendum on UK membership of the European Uniona vote in which the majority of participants favored leaving the UK, known as “Brexit”.

After the December 2019 elections, the UK Parliament finally ratified the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020. The United Kingdom left the European Union at the end of January 2020. Although it is already consolidated, its effects are still being felt, as it has left a country divided and in social and economic crisis, which represents a challenge for the current monarch. .

THE energy bills, inflation (the highest in 40 years), criticism of the monarchy for the absorption of public funds and with the country on the brink of recession are also among the challenges.

Commonwealth Survival

The Queen was a much-loved figure among the 56 member states of the Commonwealth and for many, after her death, there are few reasons to stay there.

When Charles III became king, also assumed leadership of the Commonwealthnot because the post was inherited, but because the Heads of State and Government of the latter designated him as successor after acceding to the request of Isabella II.

One of his main challenges will be the survival of the Commonwealth of former British colonies and protectorates, and this is what he will focus on in the days and hours leading up to the coronation: Tuesday, he met in Buckingham the Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albanese, and spoke by videoconference with his Canadian counterpartJustin Trudeau.

The week is rounded off with visits from New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, Canadian Indigenous Leaders Roseanne Archibald, Natan Obed and Natalie Caron; and the King of the Ashanti (Ghana), Otumfuo Osei Tutú II, before his appointment with the Amazon militants.

Match your mother’s discretion

The Queen Elizabeth II was known for being neutral and showing none of her opinions politics or affairs of state in public. And it is a challenge that we will have to continue to maintain Carlos III, known to have made personal confessionsspeaking out on the environment or urban planning.

Scottish independence

It is one of the most important challenges he will face during his reign. Indeed, according to polls, nearly half of Scots (49%) would support independence, compared to 51% who would reject it.