With the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, Charles automatically became the King of the United Kingdom.
His first days of reign were overshadowed by mourning but also marked by controversy.
Article summary
Controversy in the first month of Charles III’s reign
In the first year of their reign, Charles III has been consolidating his commitments to royal duties, as well as his focus on modernizing the monarchy.
But he has had difficult times with his youngest son Harry, who in December 2022 launched the documentary series ‘Harry & Meghan’, then in January 2023 released his explosive memoir ‘Spare’. These events further estranged father and son.
On May 6, 2023, Charles III was formally proclaimed king, and his wife, Camilla, became the first divorced queen.
But before arriving at the coronation Charles went through three moments that rocked his barely nascent reign.
Charles’ bad gesture at his proclamation
On September 10, 2022, Charles was formally proclaimed King by the Ascot Council at St. James’s Palace in central London.
The new king was sworn in during an elaborate and traditional ceremony.
During the signing certifying that he had taken the oath, in the presence of Queen Consort Camilla and Prince William of Wales, who acted as witnesses, an unexpected moment occurred.
Charles III asked one of the assistants to remove what was on the table, in particular the inkwells.
For some users on social networks, Charles III’s gesture was in bad taste.
Charles III angry for smearing ink on his hands
Days later, the monarch lost his temper while signing some documents at Hillsborough Castle, during his visit to Northern Ireland.
Charles was with Queen Camilla when he got angry because he was given a faulty pen that stained his fingers so he could not hide his discomfort.
“I can’t bear this bloody thing,” King Charles said after he smudged his fingers.
He was immediately assisted by the service to help him. It should be noted that the pen was not the only problem Charles had when signing, as he got the date wrong and had to rectify it, as he had written September 12 and it was the 13th.
At this point, the new king of the United Kingdom was under the gaze of the world and his tantrums were not making him look very good.
King Charles III was accused of being racist
The behavior of King Charles III was once again in the spotlight on social media. This time he was not starring in a moment of anger, but was being labeled a racist.
The uncomfortable moment occurred on September 19 when Charles went out to greet the people stationed at the entrances of the official residences for the last farewell to the Queen.
It was precisely in one of these greetings that King Charles was harshly criticized.
Charles went to greet shaking hands with everyone, but when it was his turn to greet a man of color, he turned to greet the others and left the man with his hand outstretched.
What did i just watch ?
What is this ?
If Racism was a person.
Black people, we are on our own. pic.twitter.com/21tPNc3YUx
— Africa Archives ™ (@Africa_Archives) September 19, 2022
These three events marked just the first month of Charles III’s reign.
