So-called “soft power” is of central importance in geopolitics. It is about a state’s ability to persuade others by avoiding the use of force or coercion and by using more subtle means such as its culture, social model or values. The great pillar through which the UK consolidated its global influence over the last century was Elizabeth II. During the seven decades of his rule – the longest in the country’s history – he was a constant in a period of rapid social and political change. Therefore, his death, now a year ago, marked an important turning point.
Especially in the context of a new ‘Global Britain’ looking to position itself at the forefront of the post-Brexit era and the particular storm the royal family is experiencing itself. Carlos III is not as popular as his mother He also has to face the scandals and allegations of his youngest son, Prince Harry, who has become one of The Firm’s main critics since he decided to cut ties to start a new life in the United States.
Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96 at her summer residence Balmoral Castle (Scotland) surrounded by her family. “The Last Global Monarch”, qualified Serge Schmemann, columnist for the New York Times. He wasn’t wrong. It seems difficult to find such a widely recognized image again on both sides of the Atlantic. And so respected, even by the Scottish pro-independence Republicans, whose secessionist drive has now been completely undermined with the promise of a new referendum. given the major crisis the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) is going throughafter the resignation of its chairman Nicola Sturgeon.
The death of Elizabeth II coincided with one of the greatest moments of political instability in the UK. In just over two months, the British had done it up to three different tenants in Downing Street This shows the exhaustion of the Conservative Party, which after more than thirteen years in power, according to all polls, will lose next year’s elections.
After the populism and eccentricities of Boris Johnson and the economic chaos caused by the volatility Liz Trussthe current prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has brought the desired calm. It has also continued the leadership shown by London towards the West in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the authority of the ‘Tory’ leader is always undermined by the fact that he was elected in a party primary, rather than by the verdict of the electorate at the polls.
Despite his Euroscepticism, Sunak’s pragmatism At the beginning of the year, a new pact was concluded with the EU to resolve the controversy over the new post-Brexit customs controls to be introduced in Northern Ireland. However, provincial Britain remains without a coalition government and the silence in Belfast’s parliament for more than a year has fueled activity from dissident groups such as the new IRA, which was last responsible for the assassination of a police officer in February.
credibility crisis
Sunak’s big challenge is gaining credibility and most importantly, delivering on the five promises made: halving inflation this year (prices fell from 7.9% in June to 6.8% annually in July, but are still a long way from the Bank of England’s 2% target removed). ; Reduce national health system waiting lists, reduce debt, boost the economy and, most controversially, stop illegal boats.
The latter is one of the issues that worries voters most, but it’s also where it’s most controversial given his controversial immigration plan to detain and deport asylum-seekers arriving from the country via irregular routes the European Convention could violate rights. People.
Brexit did not bring border controls, the main mantra of the Eurosceptic cause. Both legal and illegal immigration have increased in the last year. In addition, the number of immigrants arriving irregularly has reached record levels. Nor has it created economic prosperity. The International Monetary Fund forecast that the UK will be the only G7 country with negative growth in 2023.
However, European divorce has allowed London to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP), making it a major player in the Indo-Pacific. Faced with the threat posed by China, not only is all international politics moving here, but it is also happening from a privileged position, as it is the only European country sitting at the table of an important club (whose GDP corresponds to this). of the EU) and above all with a vote – and above all a veto – that the United States itself does not have.
After Brexit, the Indo-Pacific is now a hotspot of British foreign and homeland security policy. However, relations with the EU remain a strategic priority, such as Carlos III’s first trip abroad. showed after accession to the throne.
While Elizabeth II’s chosen destination was the Commonwealth – the community of nations with historical ties to the United Kingdom, which now plays a subordinate role – her successor’s it was Germany and France, with the trip to Paris ultimately being postponed had moment due to the violent demonstrations against the pension reform introduced by Macron.
Throughout his long tenure as heir, Carlos has always been overshadowed by his mother. There was always a debate about what would happen if Elizabeth II were gone. It is more, Speculation arose over the possibility of Carlos abdicating directly in favor of his son Guillermowho, alongside Catalina, is seen by many as the true figure of the institution’s continuity and future.
But when he ascended the throne at the age of 73, all doubts were dispelled. There were Republican demonstrations and even arrests of youths who threw eggs at the monarch at public events – unthinkable for their mother. However, the popularity of the current head of state, who will spend the first anniversary of Elizabeth II’s death in the strictest privacy, has increased significantly due to the “transition effect”.
He was expected by many to be the longest-serving person in line for the throne in UK history Carlos III will make radical changes in the monarchy. His coronation last May was interpreted as a declaration of intent. The ceremony had important changes compared to that of Elizabeth II in 1953. There were women bishops, she was more multicultural and multi-denominational because after all the aim was to reflect current British society where the Prime Minister is Indian and the office practices Hinduism and the Mayor of London is a Muslim.
Still, the signs of this first year on the throne point in that direction a more cautious approach. A senior adviser anonymously recently commented to The Times that Buckingham Palace’s mantra is: “It will be the same but different”. The goal is for the monarch to take global leadership on issues like climate change, one of his major obsessions for years. But without breaking his constitutional role, which he failed to fulfill during his time as heir, by interfering in political affairs.
In the 1980s, his plans to promote “the redevelopment of central London” deeply irritated. During Tony Blair’s government, he warned that if “the Fox Hunting Act” were changed, he would leave the country and spend the rest of his life “skiing”. But now it’s an example of the political neutrality demanded by the institution that not everyone expected.
A source familiar with the palace machinery told the British newspaper that the king and his advisers had made a strategic decision as his 75th birthday approached in November build a legacy of stability and continuity. Had he ascended the younger throne, according to those close to him, that would have been the case “a rather reformist king”. But he has already embraced it at retirement age and at a time also fraught with conflict for the nation, with political divisions, economic difficulties and uncertain geopolitical times with the war in Ukraine. Therefore, he would have decided to leave the role of making the changes to his eldest son, Prince William.
There are many fronts that Carlos III has open within the company itself. Since leaving the royal family, his youngest son Harry has not stopped criticizing his documentaries on Netflix, one of his current sources of funding. On the other hand, despite the fact that he was removed from the public agenda following the alleged child abuse scandal, the monarch’s brother Andrés continues to be a more than problematic figure.
But Carlos III – who always works all day, skips lunch and prefers to have tea with Camilla – has found the town’s affection. His busy schedule also makes him one a monarch more approachable than his mother, who was hardly seen in public in the last years of his life due to his health problems.
Following the coronation of the current king in May, an Ipsos poll found that the 63 percent of Brits felt they were doing a good jobsix percentage points more than in April.
Carlos and Camilla have largely gone on with their daily lives, staying at Clarence House during the week and often traveling to their Gloucestershire home, Highgrove, at the weekend. However, according to his close circle, he believes he must “defend the best of the tradition that the UK reflects today, he knows that.” Not everything can stay the same forever“.