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Original poster

AIBU in thinking that King Charles' passing will devastate Britain?

781 replies

monrymeadows73 · 07/12/2025 10:28

If you remember back when Queen Elizabeth II died, how upset most British people were and how it caused some social insecurity as many British people saw her as a sense of strength and a rock due to her continuity and longevity, but with her gone, they weren't sure how Britain would fare. Hence, the large crowds of mourners and a lot of upset.

King Charles III - though not as admired as Queen Elizabeth was - also has longevity and a sense of continuity in a different way: not as monarch since he's only been in the role for three years, but as a royal figure, i.e. he has been in the spotlight since the 1940s and conducting royal duties since the 1960s. When he dies, will Britain finally feel as though the older generation of royals - who for so long have provided reassurance and comfort to the British people - have gone?

Will this lead to a lot of soul-searching about where next Britain must go and perhaps cause social tensions due to the insecurity of identity? Who will the British look to to guide the nation from then on? Who will be their new rock?

OP posts:
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Poppins2016 · 07/12/2025 12:20

I wasn't devastated when Queen Elizabeth died and I won't be when Charles died. I didn't/don't know them. I would also prefer a republic and think the monarchy is outdated.

opencecilgee · 07/12/2025 12:20

the king is dead. Long live the king

and so on

HollyChristmas · 07/12/2025 12:19

He is an elderly man , and we have been told he has had / has cancer .
Yes it will be sad ( for some ) and I will feel sorry for his family , as I would any family
But devastated , no I won't be .
The death of his mother was a shock inspite of her great age and obvious diminishing health , likewise Prince Phillip as we all grew up seeing them on t.v.
But life goes on .

Calliopespa · 07/12/2025 12:17

popcorncake · 07/12/2025 12:15

Thank you for the sentiment, thats very kind.

But you arent really "upset" about it and nor should you be- you didnt know her.

If we all went around crying about everyone who was ill then we'd never get out of bed in the mornings.

The world is an upsetting place and I think it's only right that we are able to filter the things we allow ourselves to be distressed by- otherwise life would be a never-ending emotional break down.

In fact, I would argue it's imperative that we have boundaries and limits as to what distresses us on a daily basis for our own survival.

Thank you for your kind words though x

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I'm not crying but it does make me sad to be reminded that lives are lost through misdiagnosis and that someone who lost someone special is currently on their keyboard still feeling the loss.

Life is sad.

ETA I guess without knowing you, it is still a small interaction with your loss. IT has put it in my mind.

And I think that's why public figures elicit sympathy. When things are brought to our attention, especially with a televised funeral etc, we are in that loss for a short period time.

Mind you, I once cried at a funeral of someone I didn't know!

Nanny0gg · 07/12/2025 12:15

Freedomishereandnow · 07/12/2025 10:34

Privet! Let me assure you that no one in the UK gives Charles a second thought and the only devastation his death will cause will be financial due to the millions his funeral will cost.

Do you know everyone in the UK?

popcorncake · 07/12/2025 12:15

Calliopespa · 07/12/2025 12:10

Sorry to hear that @popcorncake and I don't know her, but I am sad to hear that.

ETA just thinking more on this and 59 is young. I'm just thinking of people I do know that age and it must have been a tough loss.💐

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Thank you for the sentiment, thats very kind.

But you arent really "upset" about it and nor should you be- you didnt know her.

If we all went around crying about everyone who was ill then we'd never get out of bed in the mornings.

The world is an upsetting place and I think it's only right that we are able to filter the things we allow ourselves to be distressed by- otherwise life would be a never-ending emotional break down.

In fact, I would argue it's imperative that we have boundaries and limits as to what distresses us on a daily basis for our own survival.

Thank you for your kind words though x

BunnyLake · 07/12/2025 12:15

No he simply doesn’t have that history and longevity the Queen had. I didn’t even like the Queen until she became a more granny type version. Had no time for her when she was younger.

I hope William and Catherine do a good job, I have no problem with them. We aren’t the only country to have monarchs (or emperors).

ClearFruit · 07/12/2025 12:14

Ha, no. I'm 46 and have literally never given the Royal family a second thought. I've certainly never felt any reassurance and comfort from them. What a load of rubbish.

MO0N · 07/12/2025 12:13

I do not give a shit about the pompous old twit.

MyDogHumpsThings · 07/12/2025 12:10

Insane take

Pedallleur · 07/12/2025 12:10

Fluffyholeysocks · 07/12/2025 10:34

No, i don't think so. Charles hasn't had the long reign QE2 had. I think the monarchy will change and modernise under William.

Modernise? Hmmm in a way to suit him. As long as the money keeps coming in and the angry mob aren't at the gate things won't really change

Calliopespa · 07/12/2025 12:10

popcorncake · 07/12/2025 12:08

Well my lovely mum died at age 59 and her cancer was misdiagnosed by her GP, who was crap.

So, yeah, getting to age 77 and being able to access any doctor you like is comparably rather favourable to what my mum went through.

Not really sure why I am obliged to care about some old rich man I dont know

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Sorry to hear that @popcorncake and I don't know her, but I am sad to hear that.

ETA just thinking more on this and 59 is young. I'm just thinking of people I do know that age and it must have been a tough loss.💐

Lambington · 07/12/2025 12:10

Hopefully ir will finally bring an end to the monarchy. It should have been abolished when QE2 died.

Drachuughtty · 07/12/2025 12:10

I think you're partly right. I think it will create big questions about the monarchy and whether we need it, rather than our country per se. Which is why I think the royals will try to show, when William becomes King, that things are modernising. The evidence of this will be extremely minor changes or modifications which merely give the appearance of some change in the royals' role in society.

I say, let's end it with Charles.

lifeonmars100 · 07/12/2025 12:09

InterestedDad37 · 07/12/2025 10:36

I think (hope) it will be the end of the monarchy in the UK.
We don't need one.
Long live the Republic ✊

In the days of the Platinum Jubilee the kids from the local school did a parade down the street and sweet though they were, the sight of it was very odd in an area of high deprivation where the queues for the food bank the community kitchen stretch down the pavement.

popcorncake · 07/12/2025 12:08

Calliopespa · 07/12/2025 12:06

It's funny though how people feel they only have so much compassion to mete out.

I'll feel sad for all these things.

And as for the food, well I'm guessing he eats organic! I'm not sure quite how you would know much more than that. I doubt there is a lot of pot noodle or Greggs bakery items been consumed at Highgrove.

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Well my lovely mum died at age 59 and her cancer was misdiagnosed by her GP, who was crap.

So, yeah, getting to age 77 and being able to access any doctor you like is comparably rather favourable to what my mum went through.

Not really sure why I am obliged to care about some old rich man I dont know

Calliopespa · 07/12/2025 12:06

popcorncake · 07/12/2025 12:02

Its never "good" when anyone is ill of course, but my sympathy is really reserved for people on NHS waiting lists and are in pain who dont have access to the best healthcare and the best doctors at the drop of a hat like he does.

I am afraid I wont be crying into my cornflakes about this one. I also suspect part of his ill health is due to the alcohol and rich food he eats too. It was well known that the queen ate and drank very modestly but Charles not so much

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It's funny though how people feel they only have so much compassion to mete out.

I'll feel sad for all these things.

And as for the food, well I'm guessing he eats organic! I'm not sure quite how you would know much more than that. I doubt there is a lot of pot noodle or Greggs bakery items been consumed at Highgrove.

2dogsandabudgie · 07/12/2025 12:05

MoonWoman69 · 07/12/2025 11:57

No. I have had absolutely zero interest in the RF since Diana died.
They are all a bunch of entitled, useless, grifters with absolutely no morals at all, who have done fuck all to deserve the positions they hold.
KC will only hang on longer than he would have done because he has privilege that us mere serfs don't, immediate private health care. No waiting on lists or being denied medication for him. Oh no! He just picks up the phone (or his staff do!) and he's in.
As for Anne, nobody seems to remember her beating her dogs?
Or QEII and her revolting husband going to Canada and turning up at an orphanage unannounced, taking 10 children on a picnic unsupervised and none of those children coming back?
Charles allowing Savile to give him marriage advice, when he was married to Diana? Marriage advice from a paedophile? (Even Diana thought he was a wrong un!)
And don't tell me Charles didn't know about Savile either. People seem to forget the scandal surrounding Charles and his young valet, many years ago.
They are evil, twisted, inbred arseholes who I'd rather didn't live in my world, thank you very much!

You can't honestly believe that false and ridiculous rumour that the Queen and Philip abducted children in Canada. For a start they always have security with them so are never unattended when in public, and how on earth would they be able to account for 10 missing children.

Honestly, it's like people who still believe that James Hewitt is Harry's dad or that the man in Australia claiming to be Charles and Camilla's son is genuine.

Frenchfrychic · 07/12/2025 12:05

LidlAmaretto · 07/12/2025 11:53

I think once the spotlight is on William and Kate, which will be fairly soon, once his aunts and father arent around, and more importantly Harry and Meghan fade into irrelevance he will come up short. It will be difficult for him to suddenly start making an effort in his 50's after avoiding doing much at all and getting away with it for so long. I think the last Monarch has already been born.

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I’m not sure I am seeing a lot of drip feeding in the media now for when William takes over. They are clearly preparing the British public. I’m not sure sadly Charles has that long.

i think people also dint fully understand what William does, and think he sits around on his arse, which isn’t correct, there is a staff to run, charity work, duchy of Cornwall, correspondence etc, which all takes a lot of time when you add it all together, it really isn’t just public appearances. And he was very clear he wanted to raise his kids, before stepping into the role, which I feel is fair enough, the man will be working till he drops, the royals don’t retire at 67.

popcorncake · 07/12/2025 12:05

TwotierChristmas · 07/12/2025 12:04

@popcorncake interesting, what do you think he eats and drinks ?

I thought he had one meal a day ?

I have read he likes a drink and drinks whiskey every day. Kinda explains the red face 🤣

Newusernames · 07/12/2025 12:04

No. Not my king. Monarchy should have died with the Queen.

TwotierChristmas · 07/12/2025 12:04

@popcorncake interesting, what do you think he eats and drinks ?

I thought he had one meal a day ?

lifeonmars100 · 07/12/2025 12:03

no no and thrice no! I wasn't remotely upset when the Queen died, I have been devastated when people that I know, love and care about die. A public figure who has lived their whole life in immense wealth and privilege never having to give a second's thought to how they are going to afford any single thing they need let alone want is not someone who is generally even on my radar other than to wonder why the hell we still have a royal family. End the monarchy, they won't be poor and deprived, in fact they might even have better lives away from the sycophancy and scrutiny

TwotierChristmas · 07/12/2025 12:02

I always felt and feel I know more about Charles than I ever did the queen

He seems more vulnerable and raw. He has worn his heart on his sleeve and let us in remember he did his own book then interview ! He doesn't seem to have wanted to be royal but whilst being naval gazing he has also done a lot.
He was banging the eco drum years ago.
And the princess trust was an excellent charity.

I think he has a lot to answer for in the treatment of both his sons, since they were born.
Both sons have had massive issues with him over the years and he's caused them much pain by being with the mistress that caused their innocent young mum so much deep pain and heartache.

However he's literally lying in the bed he has made there.

I think I will feel a twinge of nostalgia and sadness when he goes yes
I was young when he got married.

It's still the best ever royal wedding.

Sorry thast turned into quite an essay 🤭

popcorncake · 07/12/2025 12:02

SeaAndStars · 07/12/2025 11:57

It's a shame isn't it. Poor man.

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Its never "good" when anyone is ill of course, but my sympathy is really reserved for people on NHS waiting lists and are in pain who dont have access to the best healthcare and the best doctors at the drop of a hat like he does.

I am afraid I wont be crying into my cornflakes about this one. I also suspect part of his ill health is due to the alcohol and rich food he eats too. It was well known that the queen ate and drank very modestly but Charles not so much