King Charles III Could Be the Most Important Monarch In British History
Not what the people want, but what the monarchy needs
A king, as part of the job description, needs to be held above his people. However, if history taught us anything is that when a king wants to make sure that the crown stays attached to his head, and that his head stays attached to his body, he needs the support of his people. That is why for centuries kings had to explain why it is they who should be trusted in holding the most senior role in the land, and why their children should inherit these roles only because they were born.
In medieval Europe, for example, there was a belief that royalty has a different kind of blood. Blue blood. In truth, this concept is thought to have originated from the fact that royalty had a light skin complexion and more visible veins compared to workers and other ethnic groups with darker-tanned skin that masked their veins. There were those who proclaimed themselves smarter or more courageous than their fellow man and thus fit to be kings. Some chose a more pretentious excuse and simply claimed that they were chosen by God.
You might find it surprising but back in 1953, before Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, 3 in 10 Brits believed she was directly descended by God. Criticism of the monarchy was said in…
