It’s often said that it’s in times of crisis and existential challenges where real leaders emerge.
Well tonight, I hold out some hope that we may well have seen the emergence of another honourable leader in King Charles III.
While filling the void left by the peerless Queen Elizabeth II is a near impossible task, in his historic address to the nation at 6pm, our new monarch did much to put to rest many of the concerns I’ve had about him reigning over this great United Kingdom.
The first was his pledge to no longer quote “give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply”.
Dan Wootton has praised King Charles III following his first address to the nation as king.
Image: GB News
The translation of that is that he has listened to his critics – including me – who insist he must continue the Queen’s non-partisan approach to ruling.
That matters very much.
Just a few months ago, King Charles was commenting in the government’s Rwanda policy and seeming to sign up the globalist agenda of the World Economic Forum.
As our Head of State that politicised approach could soon lead us down a path to a constitutional crisis.
What King Charles needs to realise is that we are willing him to succeed and today was a pitch perfect start.
When the new King arrived at Buckingham Palace, he signalled he will be a monarch we can see up close and personal, as he accepted hugs, kisses and handshakes from mourners on a surprisingly long and intimate walkabout outside the gates…
King Charles III
HENRY NICHOLLS
An understandably emotional King Charles then had just a couple of hours to prepare for the most important speech of his life.
He renewed his promise of a lifetime of service and offered a beautiful, heartfelt and poignant tribute to his mother.
Then he set out his vision of a new slimmed down monarchy.
First, and most important, his “darling wife Camilla”, who he declared would become Queen Consort after 17 years of devoted service.
Then, Kate and William who he bestowed as the new Prince and Princess of Wales.
Next, a heartfelt reference to Harry and Meghan, to whom he expressed his love as they “continue to build their lives overseas”, despite the fact the Sussexes are constantly trashing him.
That showed he is a man prepared to put the good of the monarchy ahead of toxic disagreements and his son should respond in kind and offer his full throttled backing of his father and brother in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.
Tellingly, there was no reference to his siblings Anne, Andrew or Edward.
But what the end of the address made abundantly clear is that King Charles, while focussed on his reign and securing the future of his monarchy, is also immersed in overwhelming personal of grief.