‘That Is Crazy!’: Bob Odenkirk Stunned By Revelation About His Family History

Posted on 30/01/2024 by Boris Clair

Bob Odenkirk might’ve spoken too soon in denouncing monarchs.

On an upcoming episode of the PBS series Finding Your Roots, the Better Call Saul star is stunned upon learning that he has royal ancestry, according to a Monday preview in Rolling Stone.

Host Henry Louis Gates Jr reveals on the show that Odenkirk’s sixth great-grandfather was Germany’s Duke of Plön, who was related to the royal families of Europe. But the actor is quick to assert that he’s “not a monarchist”.

“I’m an American,” Odenkirk says in a teaser clip. “I don’t believe in, uh, that. You know, I feel like it’s a little twisted.”

He adds: “I understand why society built itself around monarchs and leaders. … But I think that we’ve gotten to a better place with democracy, and we should keep going down that road.”

It’s at that moment that an excited Gates primes Odenkirk for a follow-up revelation, saying: “You and King Charles III are 11th cousins.”

The actor is initially at a complete loss for words before guffawing — and cheekily reassessing his stance.

“Well, maybe I’ll change my mind on that,” quips Odenkirk. “Oh, that is crazy!”

Gates’ team of genealogical researchers went back generations to trace Odenkirk’s lineage to a fifth great-grandfather named Friedrich Carl Steinholz, who was born out of wedlock in 1755 and fathered by the Duke of Plön.

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Royal families commonly intermarried to maintain political alliances, which helps explain how Odenkirk is distantly connected to the British crown.

When Gates asks how Odenkirk feels about “all of this”, the actor appears grateful.

“Like I’m part of history that I didn’t think I was any part of,” he answers.

See the full story at Rolling Stone.

Katy Perry Addresses Meme-Worthy Search For Seat At King Charles’s Coronation

Posted on 06/05/2023 by Boris Clair

Katy Perry was left visibly confused at Saturday’s coronation of King Charles III.

The California Gurls singer was one of several celebrities to attend the momentous occasion at London’s Westminster Abbey but appeared to be the only one unable to find her seat. The endearing moment, captured on live television, has since gone hilariously viral.

“Katy Perry not finding her seat is so me,” tweeted one person, while another wrote: “Katy Perry searching for her seat at the coronation is the perfect US representative” — and another joked that her struggle was “the equivalent vibe of us trying to find our parents in the supermarket.”

Unlike notable artists who reportedly turned the opportunity down, Perry and Lionel Richie graciously accepted the royal family’s offer to sing at Sunday’s coronation concert. Meanwhile, the speed at which she went viral on Saturday hasn’t escaped the pop star.

She tweeted shortly afterward, “don’t worry guys, I found my seat.”

don’t worry guys i found my seat

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 6, 2023

Perry arrived entirely in lilac, donning a short-sleeved jacket and gloves that matched her dress. While she wore a rather sizable hat to boot, the accessory didn’t cause any problems or become viral memes — unlike those of some other attendees on Saturday.

“The way she’s trying to look for her seat with that hat, it’s adorable and funny at the same time,” one person tweeted, while another was slightly more vicious: “What on earth is she wearing? God awful, especially the frilled UFO disc on her head!”

The American Idol judge ultimately managed to find her seat and witnessed the first British coronation since Queen Elizabeth II’s in 1953. As it was also the second televised coronation, however, all eyes were on the attendees — and Perry’s brief disorientation.

Fortunately for Perry — who’ll join British boy band Take That, Italian opera legend Andrea Bocelli and Welsh singer Bryn Terfel on Sunday — she’ll probably be standing during her performance.

HAS ANYONE HELPED KATY PERRY FIND HER SEAT YET?!?!? WE DON’T NEED THIS TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT

— Los Feliz Daycare (@LosFelizDaycare) May 6, 2023

Student Arrested For Egging King Charles Say He’s Banned From Possessing Eggs In Public

Posted on 10/11/2022 by Boris Clair

A student arrested on suspicion of pelting the King and Queen Consort with eggs says he has been banned from carrying eggs in public.

Patrick Thelwell, 23, has spoken to the media after being released on bail by North Yorkshire Police following the incident at Micklegate Bar, York, on Wednesday.

He told The Mirror his bail conditions included not going within 500m of the King and not possessing eggs in a public place, which he claimed to have had amended so he could do his groceries. It means he must have a receipt for the eggs.

In an interview with Jezebel, he said: “They thought about (it) and said, actually that’s a bit harsh, what happens if he wants to eat some eggs?”

The royal couple had just arrived in the city to unveil a statue in honour of the late Queen at York Minster when a figure in the crowd threw four eggs, all of which missed.

The man was heard to shout “this country was built on the blood of slaves” as he was detained by police.

People in the crowd booed him and shouted, “God save the King”.

North Yorkshire Police said a 23-year-old arrested on suspicion of a public order offence had been interviewed and has now been bailed.

Thelwell said the crowd around him reacted with “pure rage”.

He added he did not believe in kings and said everyone should be treated equally and his protest was about the state of the country and its “descent into fascism”.

Thelwell told The Mirror: “After I was arrested the experience of that crowd, literally screaming and wailing with pure rage.

“Saying that my head should be on a spike, that I should be murdered on the spot.

“It doesn’t phase me because I understand what fascism is, what it looks like.

“People were ripping chunks of my hair out, they were spitting at me.

“People lost their minds.”

Thelwell told the newspaper he has received death threats.

The University of York later said it was “appalled” by the images and will consider misconduct proceedings.

5 Biggest Moments From The Day As The UK Gets Its Third PM In Less Than Two Months

Posted on 25/10/2022 by Boris Clair

History was made on several accounts on Tuesday, with both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak breaking records – albeit for very different things.

As the prime minister with the shortest time in office officially left Downing Street while the first British Asian PM took her place, this was a momentous day in politics.

On top of that, there was a dramatic reshuffle, as Sunak seeks to separate himself from the premierships of the last two prime ministers.

Here’s everything you need to know about the day.

1. Liz Truss says farewell

The prime minister with the shortest tenure in UK history said goodbye to Downing Street at 10.15am.

She urged her successor to be “bold” and stick to her tax-cutting agenda, despite the economic chaos it caused and the widespread criticism it evoked.

She offered no apology in her speech and urged Sunak to focus on “growth” by cutting taxes and reducing public spending, maintaining: “I am more convinced than ever we need to be bold and confront the challenges that we face.”

Truss said: “We simply cannot afford to be a low growth country where the government takes up an increasing share of our national wealth and where there are huge divides between different parts of our country.

“We need to take advantage of our Brexit freedoms to do things differently.”

She also tried to champion her policies which the government did not U-turn on, such as assistance with energy bills, and reversing the National Insurance increase.

Liz Truss making her farewell speech on Tuesday morning

2. Sunak meets the King

Shortly after Truss met with the King to resign, her successor filed into Buckingham Palace so he could officially be confirmed as the next prime minister.

This was a historic moment, marking the beginning of the first UK premiership led by a Hindu and British Asian. It’s also only the second time a prime minister from an ethnic minority has taken the country’s reins, too.

At 42, Sunak is also the youngest prime minister in more than 200 years.

King Charles III meeting Sunak in Buckingham Palace

3. Sunak’s welcome speech

Sunak started his premiership with a bang, by immediately addressing the “mistakes” of his predecessor in a speech before midday.

He said: “Some mistakes were made – not born of ill will, or bad intentions. But mistakes nonetheless.

“And I have been elected as leader of my party and your prime minister in part to fix them.

“And that work begins immediately.”

Sunak also used the opportunity to address former prime minister Boris Johnson’s claim that he was “uniquely” positioned to lead the Tories – despite withdrawing from the race.

The new prime minister said while he was “grateful” to Johnson for his “incredible achievements”, “the mandate my party earned in 2019 is not the sole property of any one individual”.

He suggested that he would continue to work on the goals the Tories set out when they won the general election almost three years ago.

I will unite our country, not with words, but with action.

I will work day in and day out to deliver for you.

Watch my speech from Downing Street 👇 pic.twitter.com/diOBuwBqXc

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 25, 2022

4. An exodus of ministers

Business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg led a wave of resignations from the cabinet. A prominent ally to both Johnson and Truss, he has not spoken favourably of Sunak in the past, declaring him a “socialist” during the Tory leadership election in the summer.

Chair of the Conservative Party Jake Berry, levelling up secretary Simon Clarke, justice secretary Brandon Lewis, education secretary Kit Malthouse and work and pensions secretary Chloe Smith all followed him out the door.

Robert Buckland also stood down as Welsh secretary as did Wendy Morton, the chief whip during Truss’s time in office, environment secretary Ranil Jayawardena and the minister for development Vicky Ford.

Alok Sharma was removed from the cabinet too, but remains as Cop26 president, meaning he will negotiate on the UK’s behalf at Cop27, but won’t attend cabinet or be known as a minister.

Robert Buckland, Wendy Morton and Jacob Rees-Mogg all left cabinet on Tuesday

5. A new cabinet emerges

Sunak is under pressure to unite the fractured Conservative Party through his leadership by appointing MPs from all its factions to government positions.

Jeremy Hunt, who replaced Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor after the mini-budget imploded, is remaining at the top of the Treasury.

Sunak’s loyal ally, former deputy PM and former justice secretary Dominic Raab was rewarded, and handed his old two titles again.

Michael Gove returns to cabinet as levelling up secretary, just two months after he said he was quitting frontline politics.

A few more old faces returned to cabinet amid the reshuffle.

Former Welsh secretary Simon Hart has become the new chief whip while James Cleverly is keeping his job as the foreign secretary and Ben Wallace is staying as defence secretary.

Suella Braverman, who resigned as home secretary a week ago over breaching security rules, returns to that same job.

Oliver Dowden has been appointed as the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, while Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed Conservative Party chair.

King Charles III Unveils His Royal Cypher (Here’s What That Actually Is)

Posted on 26/09/2022 by Boris Clair

King Charles III has just unveiled his new royal cypher – another, albeit smaller, indication that his reign has officially begun.

The sign, revealed shortly before the official royal mourning period for the Queen ends on Tuesday, includes the C for his first name and the letter R for Rex, the Latin name for King.

In between these two letters is the Roman numeral for three (III) indicating that he is the third monarch in British history to be known as Charles, so it reads Charles Rex III.

King Charles III's new cypher — King Charles III’s new cypher

The monogram is Charles’ personal property but will appear on government buildings, traditional police helmets, state documents and any post boxes built after his reign began.

It is also used on government departments and the Royal Household for franking mail, although the decision to update the cypher from the Queen’s to the King’s will be at the discretion of individual organisations.

The monogram is not too dissimilar to the one used by his predecessor, his mother Queen Elizabeth II. As the Latin word for Queen is Regina, and she was the second English monarch to use the name Elizabeth, her monogram was ER II (sometimes known E II R).

However, when her cypher was used in Scotland, the II was not used because Scotland never recognised Elizabeth I as their monarch, only Mary Queen of Scots.

And, while kings tend to use the more rounded Tudor crown, queens typically use the St Edward’s crown on their cyphers, as seen below.

The official design, prepared at the College of Arms and approved by the Queen, for the Royal Cypher of Queen Elizabeth II.

The King chose his own design after the College of Arms presented him with a series of options. The Scottish version includes the Scottish Crown and was approved by Lord Lyon King of Arms.

The heralds who make up the College are members of the Royal Household.

The cypher could only be shared once Charles confirmed he wanted to reign under his first name, rather than any of his middle names – Philip, Arthur or George.

Don’t expect any huge changes overnight though, as it is traditionally a slow process to alter such symbols on a nationwide basis. The Queen did not experience many of the physical changes until more than a year after her accession to the throne, around 1953.

And, like his mother’s, the King’s coronation is also expected to be a little while off out of respect for his deceased predecessor. There’s speculation that the sovereign will try to have a more toned-down affair as well, in line with his plans for a slimmed down monarchy and amid a worsening cost of living crisis.

Currency, too, will gradually be updated to include Charles’ profile rather than his mother’s, although the new ones will show the King facing to the left. This is a continuation of a 17th Century tradition, which saw successive monarch facing alternative ways.

New stamps, sculptures and portraits, are in the work as well, although they will all need approval from the King himself.

Still, the cypher shows that the new Caroline era is upon us, a name which stems from the Latin equivalent for Charles, Carolus.

This announcement also comes after the Palace released an image of the black ledger stone with the Queen’s name, birth and death dates etched onto it in St George’s Chapel, to mark the late monarch’s final resting place.

She shares the stone with her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, along with her husband, Prince Philip.

The new monarch also released his first official portrait last week, where Charles is looking at the despatch box while a photo of his parents sits on the side.

King Charles And Prince William Surprise Mourners Queueing To See The Queen’s Coffin

Posted on 17/09/2022 by Boris Clair

King Charles III and William, Prince of Wales made a surprise visit to greet mourners who are queueing to see Queen Elizabeth II lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.

Prince William shook hands and greeted people who have been queuing overnight to pay their respects to his grandmother. He told mourners, “Thank you it means an awful lot.”

The Prince of Wales thanks people for queuing up overnight to see his grandmother Lying-in-State.

He tells mourners: “Thank you it means an awful lot.” pic.twitter.com/l5Jrr0Duon

— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) September 17, 2022

King Charles III also shook hands with people, thanking them for waiting upwards of 20-hours to view his mother lying-in-state. In one video, his personal guard can be heard telling people to put their phones away and “enjoy the moment.”

The queue to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has become an event unto itself at it stretches for miles across central London, with people travelling into the city to see the Queen lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.

Britain's William, Prince of Wales greets people queueing to pay their respects to Britain's Queen Elizabeth following her death, in London, Britain, September 17, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble — Britain’s William, Prince of Wales greets people queueing to pay their respects to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth following her death, in London, Britain, September 17, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble

On Friday, the queue had to close to new entrants for a while as it crossed 5-miles and waiting hours between 22-24 hours. But not before David Beckham also surprised mourners and queued with them for hours for a chance to pay his respects to the Queen.

The Queen’s coffin will remain at Westminster Hall for people to visit until Monday morning, September 19th, when it will be carried in a process to Westminster Abbey for a state funeral.

This evening, Princes William and Harry will mount a vigil around their grandmother’s coffin along with her other grandchildren. The King and his siblings did so yesterday evening, in a ceremony called the vigil of the princes, although it notably included Princess Anne.

King Charles III Leads Vigil Of The Princes Over Queen’s Coffin For Final Time

Posted on 16/09/2022 by Boris Clair

King Charles III, accompanied by his three siblings – Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward – took part in the vigil of the princes this evening at Westminster Hall.

The 15-minute long ceremony involved Queen Elizabeth II’s four children standing guard around her coffin at Westminster Hall where the Queen has been lying-in-state since Wednesday evening.

Notably, all four were in military uniform, including Prince Andrew who reportedly received a special exception to allow him to wear his for the vigil. Earlier in the week, he wore a morning suit while marching behind his mother’s coffin, reflecting the fact that he was stripped of all his military titles and royal patronages back in 2019.

Prince Harry, who will participate in a vigil with the Queen’s other grandchildren on Saturday evening, will also appear in military uniform after receiving an exception from Buckingham Palace. He too wore a suit earlier in the week while his brother, Prince William, was in military uniform as they accompanied the Queen’s coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Prince Harry lost his military titles in 2020 after giving up his senior royal status and moving to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

The Queen will remain lying-in-state until her funeral on September 19th, which has been declared a bank holiday. Hundreds of thousands of mourners have been queueing to visit Westminster Hall and see the monarch lying-in-state since Wednesday. The queue itself has spawned rolling coverage and memes, becoming an historic event in its own right.

Royal Makeover: All The Everyday Items That Will Be Rebranded For King Charles III

Posted on 15/09/2022 by Boris Clair

The end of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign does not just mean a changeover for the UK’s head of state.

The Queen’s face or name have been put on many British (and overseas) items over the many decades of her reign, from state-owned objects – like currency – to brands you might not have realised, like Twinings, and Heinz.

Over 800 brands have lost their right to use the royal coat of arms on their packaging, and they now have to prove the royal family use their products before they can put it back.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is the royal warrant?

This is when the royal coat of arms – with the English lion on the left and the Scottish unicorn on the right of a shield, featuring different UK emblems on it – can be printed on a product’s packaging. And it doesn’t cost the brand a thing.

There is usually a statement underneath explaining which royal appointed the warrant, too. Most products previously had: “By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen.”

The monarch can decide who is to be a “grantor” (aside from themselves), meaning the person who officially decides what products can receive the royal warrant.

Officially known as a Royal Warrant of Appointment, it allows brands to use the coat of arms if they supply goods or services to the royals “on a regular and ongoing basis to the Royal Households of Grantor/s for not less than five years of the past seven”.

Brands also have to prove they have policies and plans in place which show they prioritise sustainability and the environment.

Companies which sell items to souvenirs shops in various royal estate do not qualify.

Which brands use it?

Among the hundreds of brands, both British and international, which hold the royal warrant, here are just a handful of household names which received the official royal seal of approval:

Bacardi-Martini

Cadbury UK Ltd

Carluccio’s

Kellogg’s

Boots Opticians

Molten Brown

Penhaligon’s

How long can brands use it?

Warrants are granted for up to five years at a time, but can be reviewed for renewed the year before it runs out.

These warrants will now be reviewed and granted by the Queen’s successor, King Charles III – although it’s worth noting that he actually approved many of the previous royal warrant holders anyway.

An estimated 875 brands have the royal coat of arms on their packaging – but now the Queen has died, it no longer means anything, according to the Royal Warrant Holders Association.

But, the brands are allowed to use the symbol for an additional two years as they adapt to life under the new monarch, as long as there is not a significant change within the company concerned.

Between 20 and 40 new warrants are granted and old ones cancelled each year – even if it’s cancelled, they can have a year to alter packaging.

How can the warrant be cancelled?

There are a lot of different reasons – if the quality of the product is not “up to standard” anymore, it’s “no longer manufactured or available”, order numbers have fallen or the goods or services are no longer required, the royal warrant could be withdrawn.

If a company goes under, it loses the royal seal of approval too.

A coat of arms for the appointment of the brewery is seen at the tap bar at Windsor & Eton Brewery

Will anything else need to be changed now we have a new monarch?

Yes – the most obvious thing being the UK currency. The Queen’s face is on all of British coins and bank notes right now.

The Bank of England says it costs around 7p or 8p to make a banknote, and there are around 4.7 billion in use in the UK at the moment – meaning it could turn out to be pretty expensive to replace them all.

But, like with the royal warrant, this change is not usually quick.

For instance, the Queen’s face did not begin to appear on coins until the year after her accession (1953), and she was not on banknotes for years – although that was because she was the first monarch to appear on such currency.

King George VI’s face was also only removed from coins 20 years after his death, during the change to the decimal system.

According to German news outlet DW, the Bank of England has clarified that notes with the Queen’s face are still legal tender, and the Bank is set to release an update after the national mourning period is closed.

What about the post?

Unused stamps will stay valid for use until at least the end of next year.

Postboxes always carry the insignia of the monarch reigning at the time it was put up – E (Elizabeth II) and R (for Regina). New boxes now may use the cypher CR – Charles Rex III. But the ones currently in place will not be changed.

Royal Mail has not revealed how much it would cost to do this anyway.

And, the organisation told DW that “in line with the King’s wishes we will minimise any waste and avoidable cost, so we will be using up stocks of postage stamps and not removing the late Queen’s cypher from vehicles and post boxes ”.

What else might need to be changed?

Many of our emergency services will need to be updated at some point, from the fire service ensign, to military medals with the Queen’s effigy, police helmets, and UK passports.

Some Commonwealth currency bears the Queen’s face, too.

Her image is on the currency of at least 33 countries, more than any other living monarch, including Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, as she was head of the Commonwealth.

Fear Not, 500 Portable Toilets Are Along The Route To The Queen’s Lying In State

Posted on 14/09/2022 by Boris Clair

Britain is doing little to defy the stereotype that people enjoy nothing more than joining a queue as the wait to pay final respects to the Queen grows.

Officials have laid on around 10 miles of “queuing infrastructure” to allow as much of the public as possible to visit the Her Majesty’s lying in state.

Doors at Westminster Hall – where the Queen’s coffin is on public displayed – opened at 5pm on Wednesday. The historic building on the parliamentary estate will remain open for 24-hours a day until 6.30am on September 19, the morning of the late monarch’s funeral.

Reports suggest that people have already been queuing for 15 hours, with some expectations that waits could reach 30 hours. It prompts questions about what happens if nature calls – but planners have mercifully thought ahead.

Those on the route – 6.9 miles from Victoria Tower Gardens to Southwark Park, with a further three miles within the park itself – will have access to more than 500 portable toilets.

For those worried there’ll be nowhere to go while queueing, the govt has secured 500 portable toilets for use along the route 🚽🚽🚽

— Jason Groves (@JasonGroves1) September 14, 2022

Those joining the line will be given numbered wristbands so they take toilet breaks without losing their place.

With up to 400,000 people expected to queue, more than 1,000 volunteers, stewards, marshals and police officers will be on hand at any one time as people brave the wait on the banks of the Thames.

This includes 779 professional stewards per shift, assisted by 100 civil service volunteer marshals, 40 adult scouts, and 30 members of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry charity, as well as Metropolitan Police officers.

So how long is the queue right now?

Well, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is running a live “queue tracker” to pinpoint the end of the line.

At 4pm, the tracker showed the queue was around 2.2 miles long, stretching past Blackfriars Bridge in Southwark near Tate Modern.

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To help avoid disappointment, it is understood that entry to the back of the queue may be closed early, although it is too early to estimate when that moment might come.

Numbers will be monitored towards the end of the lying in state period, to ensure as near as possible that those already waiting are able complete their visit.

There will be a separate accessible route running from the Tate Britain for people less able to wait for a long period of time, with timed entry slots issued for a line along Millbank to the Palace of Westminster.

Queen’s lying in state: route of queue.

PA Graphics via PA Graphics/Press Association Images

No proof of disability will be required to use this route, with marshals on hand to make sure people are in the correct line and two British Sign Language interpreters to help.

It is understood there will be an element of self-policing when it comes to people keeping their places in line.

Those waiting in the queue are being given a coloured and numbered wristband, specific to each person, allowing them to leave for a brief time.

It is thought people will know those around them and be supportive when others need to step out.

Royal Rebrands Are A Thing. Has Charles Already Started His?

Posted on 14/09/2022 by Boris Clair

King Charles III has been in the spotlight for his entire life – but is he due a rebrand now he’s head of state?

Until September 8, Charles was the world’s longest serving heir, having been the first-in-line to the throne since 1952. That’s 70 years – his mother was crowned when he was just three years old.

However, during that time the royal has had a rather tumultuous relationship with the public. Perhaps, as he transitions into his new role as sovereign, Charles is looking to rejuvenate his image too.

But, why would he need a rebrand?

The King has faced a great deal of scrutiny over the years, and his public persona has not always emerged intact.

In 1994, he indirectly insulted his own parents by telling interviewer Jonathan Dimbleby they were not supportive throughout his childhood, prompting pundits to speculate about a royal rift – and that Charles had overshared.

During this same period, Charles’ reputation was on the line due to his declining relationship with his first wife, Princess Diana.

Not only was she seen as the “People’s Princess” and more popular than him, their tense separation in 1992 and her subsequent death in a car crash in 1997, led to an outpouring of grief – and many people turning against the royals in rebellion.

Charles’ affair with his current wife, the Queen consort, then known as Camilla Parker-Bowles, through part of his marriage to Diana was highly publicised. Camilla was also married during their affair, pushing more of the public to side with Diana, then Princess of Wales.

While Charles and Camilla have been happily married since 2005, the popular Netflix series The Crown has been raking up the entire history of the Queen’s reign for the past few years, with a fair amount of artistic license, too.

This has caused renewed anger among younger generations who may not have experienced the tension between Charles and his parents, and his ex-wife, the first time around.

Further questions over the future of the royal family under Charles’ hand emerged when his second son Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle announced they would be leaving ‘The Firm’. The Sussexes have since indicated a rift still exists between them and the new King.

Charles, too, has been criticised for “meddling” in politics and supposedly lobbying politicians after his “black spider memos” were revealed by the Guardian in 2015. This was particularly worrying for many Palace staff, because Charles is part of the constitutional monarchy – he is meant to be apolitical.

Has he already started the rebrand?

Yes. It seems that just days into his reign, Charles was already trying to shake off some of the more “stuffy” imagery, and stiff upper lip attitude often associated with the crown as he ushers in his own reign at King.

As soon as he returned to London after being by the Queen’s side during her death, he jumped out of the car and started greeting the crowds outside Buckingham Palace.

During the unscheduled walkabout, he shook hands with well-wishers and was even kissed on the cheek by one member of the public.

He referred to his mother as “Darling Mama” in his first official address to the nation on Friday, in an unexpected emotional turn, and he has since said: “I was very lucky to have her as my mother.”

He also explained he was passing the Queen Consort title on to Camilla because of her loyal service to the country over the last 17 years, tacitly acknowledging their complicated past.

He indicated the Duchess of Cambridge would become the Princess of Wales – a title not used in public since Diana was alive – and extended his love to Harry and Meghan in his speech, in a bid to provide the sense of a more united monarchy.

It’s worth noting that in the same speech, Charles indicated that it was time for “change”, and suggested he is going to be leaving all his passion projects behind as he adapts to life as sovereign.

“My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities,” he said on Saturday. “It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.”

Is it working?

Well, to an extent. A YouGov poll published on Tuesday shows people already have more faith in him than before he inherited the throne.

In May, it was a pretty even split between those who thought he would do a bad job and those who thought he would do a good job as monarch, at around 30% on either side.

In fact, ever since July 2019, approximately 30% of respondents did not believe in the monarch’s future on the throne – up until now.

New polling has found 63% of respondents believe Charles will make a good King.

But, as ever, the support is not unanimous.

Those on social media have been more critical, with two separate clips showing Charles losing his temper over pens in the last few days going viral.

When visiting Hillsborough in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, the King signed the estates’ visitors’ book and became infuriated when he found his pen was leaking.

He was caught on camera saying: “I can’t bear this bloody thing!”

A similar incident unfolded during the Accession Council on Saturday, when he was seen shooing staff to clear his desk while he signed his proclamation.

It’s probably too early to tell, but it’s certainly going to be an uphill battle to earn the same reputation his mother had.

As YouGov noted at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen has maintained a positive view with around 70% of the population for at least the last decade.

“I can’t bear this bloody thing!”: King Charles’ signing ceremony at Northern Ireland’s Hillsborough Castle made one thing clear – even royalty can’t escape the frustration of an inadequate pen. pic.twitter.com/nzygNTLslX

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 13, 2022

Other successful royal reinventions

What makes it likely that he will get a rebrand anyway? Well, royals have done it before. Quite often, in fact.

Camilla’s is probably the most remarkable. As Charles’ first love, she was deeply unpopular for her affair with Charles throughout his first marriage and the scandalous rumours that leaked about their relationship certainly did not help.

After Diana’s death, Charles even tried to keep his relationship with Camilla out of the public eye, to avoid further scrutiny.

Even when they wed, she chose not to take the title Princess of Wales, despite it technically being her moniker as the official wife to the Prince of Wales from 2005 onwards.

However, over the years she had reshaped her image completely. This became clear when the Queen confirmed that it was her “sincere wish” for Camilla to take the much-disputed title of Queen consort earlier this year – a step away from tradition, considering both Charles and Camilla have been divorced.

It was also a title that many still associated with Diana.

Camilla Parker attending an event as president of the National Osteoporosis Society.

The Queen also rebranded throughout her reign. When she first became monarch after her father’s abrupt death in 1952, she suddenly had to prove herself, not only as the first female monarch since Queen Victoria, but as a 25-year-old sovereign.

Famously, she reinvented herself again after Diana’s death – even if some felt her hand was forced. The occasion saw a huge slump in the royal’s popularity, with the public looking unfavourably on the Queen for not welcoming the princess wholeheartedly (in their eyes) into the royal fold.

Since then, she has became the Queen’s “grandmother” instead, appearing much warmer in her public appearances and being seen as a reassuring face during times of crisis – especially during the Covid pandemic.

Princess Diana, too, changed her image from a shy teenager when she first met Charles, to the most fashionable member of the royal family, and keen humanitarian.

After her divorce, she adopted another new persona, taking more fashion risks than she could have as a working royal and standing up for more controversial causes such as joining the campaign to eradicate all landmines in Angola.

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