Roundup: Charles III’s first address

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King Charles III made his first public address in his new role, and like his mother before him, pledged to serve for as long as he lives (sorry fantasists who think he’ll abdicate in favour of William). And this was addressed not only to the UK, but also to all of the realms where he is also King, and to the rest of the Commonwealth as well, even if he is not their head of state.

More of the ceremonial aspects of the transition takes place today, from the Accession Council in the UK, to the meeting of the Privy Council at Rideau Hall, where the Canadian Cabinet will make the accession declaration for the King of Canada.

https://twitter.com/Gray_Mackenzie/status/1568435618304098305

Meanwhile, I cannot get over the fact that Canadian media outlets cannot get the basic civics straight in the fact that Elizabeth II was the Queen of Canada, and Charles III is the King of Canada. The CBC in particular continues to treat the monarchy as a foreign curiosity rather than the very centre of our constitutional order. Occasionally they will cite that the Queen was Canada’s head of state, which is only true on a technicality, and outlets like The Canadian Press are making similar declarations. We’re a constitutional monarchy. I don’t know why this seems to be so difficult for mainstream media outlets to process and relay correctly. There should be no excuse for it, and yet when it matters, they are simply unable—or unwilling—to present the facts as they exist. It’s no wonder we’re in such trouble.

Ukraine Dispatch, Day 198:

The Ukrainian counter-offensive continues to make slow and steady progress on various fronts, but that hasn’t stopped Russians from shelling cities like Bakhmut in the east, or Kharkiv in the north. Shelling also continues around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which continues to be on emergency power to run its cooling systems because repairs cannot be made to the power lines connecting it to the grid so long as the shelling continues. The International Atomic Energy Agency continues to call for a “safety zone” around the plant, but we know how well Russia abides by agreements.

Good reads:

  • There is no plan to recall the House of Commons early to mark the Queen’s passing.
  • Health Canada has approved Pfizer doses for children aged six-months to four years.
  • There are concerns that as King, Charles III may be more interventionist than his mother was (though we have learned that she wielded soft power more quite a lot).
  • The Conservatives say that tonight’s leadership reveal even will go ahead, but be a more muted affair, so they’re doing away with the confetti guns. (No, seriously).
  • The NDP claim to have a plan to stop the Conservatives from taking votes from labour movements, particularly in blue-collar unions. (I have my doubts).
  • Nova Scotia has recorded a “surprise” fiscal surplus, and of course they’re also still pleading poverty when it comes to healthcare.
  • Yukon premier Sandy Silver announced he’s not running again and has asked his party to begin a leadership process.
  • Justin Ling traces the growth of the conspiracy theory (promoted by Conservative MPs!) that the government will soon enact “climate lockdowns.”
  • Andrew Coyne notes that while governments tend to defeat themselves and this one is due, the opposition seems more eager to defeat itself first.
  • Colby Cosh contemplates the popular dislike of Charles, and notes the history of unpopular princes who became decent monarchs because the Crown changes one.

Odds and ends:

For National Magazine, I look at the seamless transition from Queen to King, thanks to the structure of institutions and laws in place to facilitate it.

Here is a reminder of the first two kings named Charles, and how they didn’t fare very well.

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One thought on “Roundup: Charles III’s first address”

  1. Facts like the role of the the Monarch in Canada along with whose jurisdiction is held by whom and much more are never a basis upon which most media sling out their daily pap to the largely ignorant readers. Here is a point to consider. We will have a “winner” of the leadership of the CPC and the voters in Canada have no idea of what policy will come with the new leadership. The “media” have no idea either. As usual we will be inundated by commentary based upon the wish list of what ever publication we are reading or watching without real black and white statements juxtaposed with current happenings by the ruling party in real time. This is how society goes about its choices, ill-informed or by a populist gut feeling.

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