The King

[DilemmaDelilah]

First of all, this is NOT meant to be a discussion about the monarchy, the Royal Family, or the King himself. It is a discussion about words.

My question is: Why is the head of our Royal Family always described as 'King Charles III' in television commentaries, the press etc., rather than as 'The King'? I am talking about in domestic news articles, not in International news.

Example: 'King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended Royal Ascot today'. Why isn't it 'The King and...'? Our late Queen was always known as 'The Queen'. She wasn't described as 'Queen Elizabeth II' except in International reporting. As far as I am aware all, or most, previous monarchs have been known as 'The King' or 'The Queen' except where there have been more than one contender for the crown. Why has this changed? I can sort of understand why a Queen Consort might have her name used, especially where there have been several, (Yes I'm looking at you King Henry VIII... and why choose so many Catherines?) but surely not the monarch himself?

It is a conundrum I haven't yet managed to solve. What do you think?

I think that this will change with time. I still get a bit WTF when I hear "the King and Queen" about Charles and Camilla- He is still Prince Charles in my head! The same with calling William and Kate The Prince and Princess of Wales.

I'm not certain you are correct saying he isn't referred to as The King.

But anyway, it is a relatively new job after having had 'the Queen' for 70 years. When i hear 'the Queen' I still think of Elizabeth II, and have to correct myself to Camilla. So maybe they use the full title to help people like me!

I don't think that is the case. I regularly hear on TV and radio KC and QC being referred to as the king and queen.

Not used to having a king yet I think. I mean I know he is King Charles but I was watching international football the other day and the anthem still makes me think God save the Queen.

They always maintained that Camilla wouldn’t be Queen , but that changed over the years!!
If they say ‘ King ‘ I do a ‘double take ‘ these days
I suppose the late Queen was around for so long it’s hard to accept the changes.

That’s not correct though. It’s King Charles OR Charles III. Shouldn’t be both.

Whenever I hear them say "the queen" I immediately think QE2...and whenever I hear prince of Wales I think Charles and Princess of Wales, I think Diana. It's an adjustment for sure

I was at an event recently and the host said 'The Queen has arrived'. I was like, wtf? Isn't she dead? And then in walked Camilla.

But also, to answer your observation, I don't think it is correct. A brief perusal of the Ascot headlines across several papers and news outlets mostly lead with 'The King and Queen' at Ascot (although GB news has him as 'Prince William's father'. Alongside 'Princess Kate's mother' 🙄)

The thing that still catches me out is when court cases are being reported on and somebody is referred to as being a "KC."