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By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: King Charles is doing better than expected but will it be good enough?

Sep 12, 2023 | 5:00 AM

KING CHARLES III has been our monarch for a year, and it’s fair to ask the question, “Has he done better or worse than we thought he would?”

A recent poll in the U.K. had surprising results. Almost 60 per cent gave him passing grades. Not only do they feel he’s doing a good job, they like him.

That leaves 40 per cent who don’t but compared to his previous rampant unpopularity he’ll take it as a win.

People admire his work ethic, which rivals his mother’s, the late Queen. He can’t, of course, rival her popularity but he’s working on it. Even Queen Camilla is getting good marks.

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Charles’ greatest current attribute appears to be the sense of stability he brings to the role, which also happens to have been one of the things people loved about Elizabeth II.

But while he hasn’t rocked the boat, neither has he come through with reforms to the monarchy. Charles was expected to “slim down” the Royal Family’s cost to the public, maybe even fire a member or two from Royal duties.

Always looming in the background is the fracas with Harry and Meghan. Some Royals watchers insist he must find a way to patch things up. No, he doesn’t, and shouldn’t. Those two are right where they should be — out of the picture.

Their words and actions can’t be taken back, and it’s not up to Charles to open any doors for their return to good graces.

Here in Canada, we’ve paid scant attention to the new king. Other than his coronation a few months ago, he has seldom come to mind. A poll at that time showed most Canadians would rather have William as king, or no king at all, and I haven’t seen anything different since.

But, to answer the original question, King Charles III is doing better than we might have expected. The next question is, will it be good enough?

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.