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The passing of a monarch -

The death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, marked the end of a historic reign, which brought significant changes to the monarchy.

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A new national anthem -

The British national anthem transitioned to 'God Save the King.' After decades of singing 'God Save the Queen,' citizens across the Commonwealth adjusted to the updated lyrics. 

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Slimmed down monarchy -

The new king embraced a streamlined monarchy with fewer working royals, aiming to reduce taxpayer expenses while prioritizing key royal engagements.

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A new royal cipher -

King Charles introduced a new royal cipher, symbolizing his reign. Gradually replacing Queen Elizabeth's cipher, it now adorns state documents, post boxes, and public signage.

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No move to Buckingham Palace -

King Charles and Queen Camilla continue living at Clarence House in London, diverging from the traditional move to Buckingham Palace.

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Currency makeover -

Coins featuring King Charles entered circulation in December 2022, followed by banknotes in 2024. However, Queen Elizabeth's versions remain valid.

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Stamps with a new face -

The Royal Mail introduced stamps featuring King Charles's minimalist portrait. Unlike his predecessors, the king opted for an uncrowned depiction.

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Uniforms and police hats -

Military uniforms and police hats are gradually adopting King Charles's cipher, with updates occurring only as older items are naturally replaced.

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Royal travel and state visits -

Unlike Queen Elizabeth's later years, King Charles has been traveling more frequently. His first state visit as king was to Germany in March 2023. 

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Casual royal engagements -

Under King Charles, royal protocols have become more relaxed. The king chats with fans, while Prince William and Princess Kate embrace selfies and hugs.

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Updated British passports -

With Charles now king, British passports reference "His Majesty" instead of "Her Majesty."

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Charity work -

Having established over 20 charities, the king now has less time for philanthropic work as monarch. Nevertheless, his commitment to sustainability remains a key focus.

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Sustainable menu -

Charles banned foie gras from royal palaces, advocating for sustainable and ethical eating. His coronation quiche, a vegetarian dish, further reflected his environmental concerns.

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Environmental innovations at the palace -

Energy-saving measures in royal residences, like lower thermostats and electric lighting, underscore Charles's commitment to reducing the monarchy's carbon footprint.

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Challenges in the Commonwealth -

Jamaica and Belize have considered leaving the Commonwealth under King Charles's leadership, highlighting the evolving dynamic between member nations and the monarchy.

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Updated citizenship oaths -

New British citizens now swear allegiance to "His Majesty King Charles III." This change applies to the UK and across Commonwealth nations. 

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New royal titles -

After Queen Elizabeth's death, Prince Charles became King Charles III, while Prince William and Kate became Prince and Princess of Wales. Camilla became Queen Consort, and Prince Edward received the Duke of Edinburgh title.

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A more modest coronation -

King Charles's coronation, costing tens of millions, had a shorter ceremony and around 2,000 guests, far fewer than Queen Elizabeth's 8,000 in 1953. 

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Diversity -

After Queen Elizabeth's death, Charles invited diverse faith leaders to Buckingham Palace. According to a press release, he expressed his duty to "protect the diversity of our country" and viewed Britain as a "community of communities."

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Geopolitics -

In a press release, the king condemned Russia's "unprovoked full-scale attack" on Ukraine, expressing horror over the "unnecessary suffering." The Queen avoided speaking publicly about the war in Ukraine. 

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The role of Queen Camilla -

As queen consort, Camilla accompanies King Charles to official events, addressed as "Her Royal Highness." She also serves as a counselor of state, temporarily fulfilling duties on his behalf when needed.

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Polls show declining approvals -

A Reuters poll from 2023 revealed that King Charles' approval rating dropped to 49%, down from 61% in September 2022, following his ascension to the throne after Queen Elizabeth's passing.

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Mixed reception -

A May 2023 Savanta survey showed one-third of UK adults viewed the royal family more negatively in the past decade. However, 21% reported a more positive outlook, and 41% remained neutral.

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Interest in the coronation -

Only half of UK adults expressed interest in watching King Charles' coronation. Only 20% described themselves as "very interested," indicating a more lukewarm public response to the royal event.

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Protests have a long history -

Protests against the royal family have a long history, from Queen Elizabeth's 1964 Quebec visit to protests during Prince Charles's 1981 US tour amid The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

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Protests during royal tours -

William and Kate encountered protests during their 2022 Caribbean royal tour, marking Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee. Their Belize stop was even canceled due to local anti-monarchist demonstrations.

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Protests against Charles -

Protests against King Charles have increased since Queen Elizabeth's passing, with the slogan "Not my king!" reflecting growing public discontent.

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Close call for Charles and Camilla -

In November 2022, King Charles and Camilla narrowly escaped being egged during a visit to York. The protestor was detained, marking a tense moment in the monarchy's public appearances.

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The future of the monarchy -

As King Charles navigates his reign, the monarchy is balancing tradition with modernization, working to stay relevant in a changing world while honoring its historical significance.

Sources: (Reader's Digest) (Business Insider) (The Guardian) (NBC News) 

See also: Mother and son: memorable moments between Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III

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