On Sept 19th, 2022 Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Maria the Second died after ruling over the ancient nations of England, Scotland and Wales for over 70 years becoming the longest ruling English and Female monarch in history. As her nation mourns, the heavy crown of lordship turns its baleful gaze upon her eldest son Charles. 

But naturally, with the death of such a long-lived and beloved ruler, the bar sits high for her predecessor. Charles, the former Prince of Wales is now the third Charles to ascend to the throne. At age 73 Charles is one of the oldest Heir apparents or direct heirs to the throne. 

This fact alone presents many challenges to the new King which NHS English teacher James Lee reaffirms. 

“It's going to be very difficult for Charles because Elizabeth's reign was just so long. And it must be very difficult if you have waited your whole life and this is your fate that you're going to become King” Lee said.

Besides Charles's unexpected ascension there is the controversy surrounding him and the death of the beloved princess Diana and his unpopularity among the common people because of it which Mr. Lee also makes clear.

“I don’t think he’s as popular as the Queen. The Queen was very well loved by a lot of people and I don’t think Charles is loved that way because a lot of people still blame him for what happened to Princess Diana and I don’t think his wife Camillia is liked either because people blame her as well for Diana’s death,” he said. 

Another issue that has begun to rear its head is the question of whether or not the monarchy is still worth keeping around. According to PBS, only 14% of 18 to 34-year-olds and 27% of 35 to 54-year-olds believe the monarchy is “very important. 

The reason for this, according to History and Psychology teacher Jason Andalo is the expense.

 “The younger generation tends not to like the royal family because they are really expensive to maintain And because of that, there is a lot of resentment towards them,” he said.

This assessment of an overly costly monarchy rings true as according to The New York Post, Queen Elizabeth's funeral will cost an estimated 7.5 million dollars marking it as the single most expensive single-day operation in the history of the United Kingdom. It is unlikely that the cost of King Charles's coronation will be any smaller. 

After a 70-year reign, the idea of the queen's death is a mix of confusion and sadness for many. But more importantly, there is a myriad of questions around those fated with taking up the mantle. 

Does her death mark the end of the last of the great monarchies or will the Crown soldier as it has for the last 12,000 years?