King Charles III had an extremely busy Friday. The plans for Operation London Bridge always involved a lot of activity for the new sovereign in the weeks following his mother’s death. We always knew he would have to go on tour of the UK, and that’s just what he’s done. On Friday, he went to Cardiff, Wales. He visited the castle, he gave a speech, he did a lil’ reception and a short walkabout. After the day-trip to Cardiff, Charles was back in London for a meeting with faith leaders, then in the evening, he did the “vigil” thing with his siblings. I’ll include the video for that at the end of the post.
Mostly I wanted to talk about his day-trip to Cardiff. Charles is now the former Prince of Wales, and I believe he held the PoW title the longest in history. He actually speaks some Welsh (he’s not crazy fluent, but his pronunciation is reportedly pretty good) and he has a home in Wales. One would think, out of everyone in the Windsor clan, Charles would probably get the best reception in Cardiff, right? Wrong. They were booing him:
BREAKING: King Charles met by BOOS and JEERS as he arrives at Cardiff Castle in Wales with Camilla. It was his first tour as monarch. #Wales #QueenElizabeth #kingcharles #QueenElizabethII #Cardiff pic.twitter.com/ob0uXvMyg5
— Urban Pictures (@Urban_Pictures) September 16, 2022
Some members of the crowd can be heard booing as King Charles and the Queen Consort arrive at Cardiff Castle.
Follow live updates here: https://t.co/zri53jSvDB pic.twitter.com/s0Y7OuVG2Z
— ITV Wales News (@ITVWales) September 16, 2022
While I’m not going to even attempt to Yanksplain why this is happening, I generally assume it’s a grab-bag of A) Charles is simply much less popular than his mother, B) Welsh peeps really hate it that the Crown still thinks it “owns” the “prince of Wales” title and C) just a general dislike of the monarchy. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. Check out this video of a Welsh man saying something which displeased the new king:
What’s the worst part? Is it that Charles doesn’t acknowledge the man whatsoever and immediately turns when he realizes he’s being criticized? Or is it that a royal protection officer immediately puts his body in between Charles and that dude, like the dude’s words were a threat to Charles? This is completely asinine.
Here’s the vigil video, which also happened on Friday.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- CARDIFF, WALES – SEPTEMBER 16: King Charles III arrives at Cardiff Castle to conduct audiences on September 16, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. King Charles III is visiting Wales for the first time since ascending the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.,Image: 723280480, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- CARDIFF, WALES – SEPTEMBER 16: King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort step outside to meet with members of the public at Cardiff Castle on September 16, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. King Charles III is visiting Wales for the first time since ascending the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.,Image: 723315532, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- King Charles III And The Queen Consort Visit Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales,Image: 723320289, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
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- King Charles III And The Queen Consort Visit Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales,Image: 723320377, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
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- Britain’s King Charles, Britain’s Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward attend a vigil, following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, inside Westminster Hall in London, Britain, September 16, 2022.,Image: 723504646, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: HANNAH MCKAY / Avalon
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- Britain’s King Charles attends a vigil, following the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, inside Westminster Hall in London, Britain, September 16, 2022. REFILE – QUALITY REPEAT‚Ä®,Image: 723505061, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: HANNAH MCKAY / Avalon
My trainer is from Wales and her mother still lives there. THEY DO NOT WANT ANY OF THOSE (royal) PEOPLE THERE. She has never been disrespectful and never says unkind things but on this, she is very clear.
That’s quite an insightful bit of knowledge.
As for how KC3-CPO acted with that man’s displeasure, he certainly walked off which is telling everyone in Wales that their displeasure is not a concern to him, merely an annoyance. He could have engaged with him and asked the man why he felt that way. Bad move KCIII, disrespectful as well as inappropriate.
#AbolishTheMonarchy
It seems like the protester didn’t get the memo: Respect only flows one way when dealing with royalty — upwards, not down to the people. Silly man, to think that Charles should care about people struggling to heat their homes, with winter coming no less. Now the parade, that’s where it’s at! Anyway, the man got return on investment for his tax money because Charles came out, smiled, waved, and shook hands. That ought to mean something to this man.
If someone heckled me like that (or rather, brought up uncomfortable truths, I’m not sure that should be considered “heckling”), I wouldn’t have known what to say and would have panicked a bit too.
But that would probably be due to my not being famous and so being inexperienced working crowds of citizens required to pledge loyalty to me?!
He’s spent literally his entire life being a major Face of the Monarchy, all in preparation for this day when he is THE Face of the Monarchy, and no one on his extensive team has ever taught him how to respond to people who aren’t simply fawning over him?!
That’s a bad look for KC3, and it’s a bad look for everyone on their PR team.
Because now he’s showing himself as he really is, and….it’s bad.
Respectfully, C-3PO doesn’t deserve to be to hooked up to Chaz like this!
Michael Sheen gave an explainer about this. Apparently, it was a Welsh hero day too.
KC3 lack of empathy and acknowledgment is whew! Can you imagine him in private?
Honestly, Charles is in for a very, very tough reign. He still has a shine from his mother’s reign because his mother just died and this is the treatment he’s getting? Wait until 6 months pass and the dislike translates to independence from his rule everywhere. Even the English hate his ass so it’s that bad. He’s going to wish he had abdicated for prince’opegs. And Charles is the rudest of that whole bunch, and when you are ruder than rapist Andrew and prince’opegs, that tells you something. That whole family is and has always been projecting their behaviors on Meghan; everything they say she became when she married Harry is exactly who each and every one of them is. They’re bullies, they’re rude, they’re physically and emotionally abusive to their stuff and to everyone around them and they are thieves. ALL OF THEM except the Sussexes.
He should expect more of this in the future. Michael Sheen put out an excellent video about the Welsh feelings about the PoW title and the significance of September 16, the day Charles chose to visit Cardiff.
Agreed. 🙂 I loved the shade when Michael was trying to work out whether Charles’ visit was by accident or design. If it was an accidental Michael asks the question “what the heck was Charles doing as PoW, if he didn’t know the significance of that date to the people of Wales?” (owtte).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Z3Ob07Tyg
The above video is worth watching my CB’ers friends.
Duchcheese – thx for that video link – definitely worth watching. There’s a long overdue reckoning coming.
Duchcheese – thanks for the video link. Seem to have missed the Crown episode where Queen is briefed by PM Harold Macmillan about the Hola massacre…
I’ll watch *any* Michael Sheen content. Off to Google.
Oh my heart. First, mygawd does he look good. Second, that’s a fascinating history. Third, he makes some excellent points. Fourth, that Dylan Thomas quote and devilish smile …
That quote at the end was perfect!
Had the pleasure of meeting him once (in the Frost/Nixon era) and he was absolutely lovely and gracious!
The Michael Sheen video was BRILLIANT & MOVING. He loves Wales and can explain its intersection with the English monarchy. He tried really hard to speak in a measured way, but he was clearly offended that Charles arrived on Owain Glyndwr Day. I knew little about Welsh history until the Sheen video & a deep dive.
Came here to mention the Michael Sheen video 😁
I just searched the comments to see if anyone mentioned that so I didn’t post the same. It was yet another great speech from Sheen
I haven’t seen the Michael Sheen video yet, but I wonder if this visit was always a part of the London Bridge plan (that on x day after the Queen’s death, KC3 visits Wales) and they just didn’t think to move things around a bit because X just so happened to be Owain Glyndr day. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was just that – the Family/Courtier’s complete inability to be flexible.
Michael Sheen video is here: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/michael-sheen-king-charles-owain-25040511
And wow, that man is pure sex
If you get the chance Michael Sheen did a great video on twitter that talks about why that day specifically wasn’t the day to be visiting Wales as a new King. Worth a watch.
Edit:Great minds Amy!
The Welsh were not happy that he gave Cain and Unable the Welsh titles AND that he visited on the 16th September which is a Owain Glyndŵr day (he lead a revolt against the British). Also, when it comes to the UK the Welsh are always at the end of the queue and are pretty much seen as an extension of England which they do NOT like.
Also a member of the welsh public gave him a pen and said ‘just in case’ – luckily he saw the funny side and genuinely laughed.
!!!!! Wtf? That’s just tactless. And my God, so incompetent.
The BRF really can’t read the room.
Not my king, the man said. And that’s the bottom line. PKC isn’t their king, but is forced on them. Wales’s parade honoring Welsh history was canceled due to the Queen’s death and then the taxpayers are forced to pay for Charles and Camilla to make a vanity tour.
I get the feeling that Charles views people like this man as annoying, but not as vexing or as worthy of getting riled up about as a leaky pen.
Glad to see they weren’t arresting people for their signs & saying ‘not my king’.
Good! Boo them, if that’s what is in your heart. Why do we owe “royals” our respect? Respect is EARNED. They are not better than anyone else.
This is probably another reason for the booing – Owain Glyndŵr day.
It is held annually on 16 September in Wales, as a celebration of Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Prince of Wales and founder of the first Welsh Parliament (Wikipedia)
Wales-on-line went into further detail about his proclamation in 1400. This visit meant that the usual celebrations were cancelled. They were incised that the lack of insight towards their individual story, tradition and history.
Is it my imagination or did something similar happen during the Cambridges’ (as they were then known) Caribbean Flop Tour? Didn’t they ride roughshod over local customs over some grounds, and fail to ask permission before planning their own event somewhere? I believe they had to then cancel their planned event when they got too much bad press about it. But this seems to be their modus operandi, to disregard what local people want when they want their wittle pawades.
Abolish the monarchy.
That is all.
@Colby
The drums are beating…
#AbolishtheMonarchy
Robin Hood their wealth, let them keep one, less historical building like Balmoral or Sandringham for their house, and give the rest to the public as museums and so forth.
K&W could have won/warmed some of welsh. I mean, didn’t they live in North Wales, Anglesey, at some point in their lives? If I were Kate, I’d ask Uncle Gary (lets be real, the real £ is from casa de bang bang) to buy “gift” her and wills a nice farmhouse/small grade ii listed home in Anglesey/Caernavon. Then I will pop once/twice a week to a local hospital/hospice/charities/churches to show some support. Maybe event holding some sort of fundraising at the Caernavon Castle (after all, Wills will have his PoW investiture there, wont he?!). And Maybe she could have gave birth to Little George (the future PoW) in Anglesey/Caernavon/North Wales. Imagine. The first future PoW to be actually born in Wales. But obvs she’s dull, unimaginative and lazy. Well then, 🤷🏻♀️
Always amazed with the level of foresight and planning that commenters here have, and your comment is no exception!
This is a great idea, but it wasn’t implemented in any way shape or form because we all know these people assume that just by existing they are due respect.
I’m doubtful if any of the royals, even the slightly more popular Keens, would have got an overwhelmingly positive reception on a day that was supposed to be celebrating a Welsh revolt. And as the new king, Charles is trying to be seen to be believed (to use his mother’s phrase). He can’t exactly send out his son whenever he’s afraid of being booed, or he may as well step off the throne.
I anticipate this being a source of tension for years to come – William likes to play king – in – waiting, and Charles reportedly gets very petulant when the attention isn’t on him. As to George being the first POW born in Wales, you are absolutely right that that would have been a nice gesture. How funny would it be if after a year of endless negotiating for Adelaide cottage and getting tantalizingly close to Windsor Castle, W and K end up moving to a private estate in Wales. Hilarious!
Just think, this is basically Charles’ honeymoon period – this week is as good as it’s gonna get!
Or, and hear me out, how about honor what the Welsh have been asking and eliminate the PoW title. This whole let’s pretend to care ish isn’t working anymore.
#abolishthemonarchy
George wouldn’t have been the first Prince of Wales actually born in the country, that title belongs to Edward II who was born at Carnarvon Castle and was the first member of the royal family to take the title of Prince of Wales.
In Canada some of our white politicians do weird Indigenous cosplay, wearing certain kinds of Jean jackets, suede jackets with fringe and learning Indigenous languages and participating in ceremonies or doing photo shoots by canoes and tipis.
They refuse to make any Indigenous languages official. They won’t fix the hundreds of contaminated water sources on First Nations reserves. They don’t fund programs to ensure communities that will lose their languages when this generation of elders die, can keep this part of their culture. None of this is cute or kind. It’s colonial. The nice gesture you’re proposing is like this.
Totally untrue about Canada. No one bothered to update wikipedia.
There has been a settlement for all outstanding claims. The injured parties were informed via adverts in the media.
Yes, @KFG, you’re right – thinking about what would be a “nice gesture” plays into the assumption that they have a right to the titles. The very best response would be to not endow W and K with this title at all, but that’s just not in their playbook.
Kate barely lived in Anglesey the first time they were there. She refused to be a part of the local RAF wives club and was spotted shopping in London or at Middleton manor quite often for an alleged young couple in the honeymoon years.
It will be interesting to see the reaction to these two because neither know any welsh nor have they ever shown interest in that nation outside of wanting the title.
Edward II was born in Wales.
And of course the true princes of Wales were.
Oh well, as Kaiser likes to say, that bitch got booed. Lol.
That makes me so happy – these are all valid criticisms and he can’t handle. He could have acknowledged the criticism and said something like they’re going to do something now that he’s king, even if it was a lie or that something was very small like a donation of coats. but no. IGNORED.
I love that for him.
Oh yes – love to see it! I sincerely hope there’s plenty more of that sentiment coming his way.
Anne’s white breeches look very out of place. She wore dark trousers in every other uniformed appearance.
Agreed. I figured they were part of some formal version of whatever uniformed service she was cosplaying. I did notice she used a walking stick, no doubt finding standing still for 15 minutes difficult. After reading Charles’ day, I’m impressed the old guy was up to it. I watched both vigil videos & found them quite moving, the one with the grandchildren particularly heartbreaking. I felt for, James, is it? the Wessex kid? So young for such a public display. And did they make them practice? Everything was so choreographed, each step exactly so, each walking left, right, left, at exactly the same time. The imagery was beautiful, the sounds of the steps (booted, with spurs for the men), the pounding of the staff, the men in uniform, the women in black & in heels (!), the solemnity & quiet of it all, then the public filing past to view not only the queen in her casket but you as living statue. The mourners standing there reminded me of various medieval churches & the saints with bowed heads carved on the exteriors. I’m just not quite sure what to make of it all, but so far, those two vigils have been the most memorable.
Can you imagine the tantrum that will happen when/if the sentiment continues and Will and Kate get booed in Wales? Not what Kate and Ma Middleton had in mind when they were chasing the title.
@Harper, this comment warms my cold, dead heart 😂
It’s their own fault. They (and the BRF) were short sighted when they didn’t put a stop to polls asking whether or not people should boo H&M at the Jubbly. By doing so they opened the floodgates by suggesting it’s no longer disrespectful to royals! What a shame – not really! 😆
Thoughtful of them to suggest, I mean arrange, that is “poll” about something so odd and unwelcoming. Payback is such a B!tch.
I imagined Willie Boy getting Charles’ reception & thinking he’d throw a fit & issue some snotty communique afterwards saying he didn’t want to be there anyway, so goodbye, I’m taking my ball & bat & going home.
If that happens, I’m sure they will blame Meghan for it somehow.
Please. Understand the royal visit to Cardiff on Owain Glyndŵr day as an act of erasure. It’s violent propaganda intended to rewrite a peoples history, after centuries of making them speak English. Like parading the coffin through Edinburgh in Scotland, it’s meant to suppress Celtic independence movements towards republics. The Welsh hoped the Prince of Wales title wouldn’t be appointed again but it was done, with haste. Irish Twitter was very clear about getting “six counties” back, still occupied by the English. Watch Charles through this lens. He’s now the chief colonizer.
I watch this stagecraft with interest as I really hope to see the African and Caribbean former colonies demand reparations and become republics.
Sorry wrong attachment. This comment is not a reflection on #14 post.
Thank you. Yes, to all of this.
I read this really interesting article last night. Generally, we Australians are pretty irreverent when it comes to authority figures, politicians, royalty etc. But so many people have been caught up in the Queen‘s death and all the carry-on since then and this article partly spoke to that. It also explains how a lot of these so-called “ancient traditions, rights and rituals” actually came about, and it’s not what I imagined. It’s a great read if you’d like to know more:
https://www.smh.com.au/national/perhaps-behind-the-crown-lies-nothing-at-all-20220916-p5biop.html
Also, how incompetent are they in The Firm? How was it that the significance of September 16 to the Welsh people was completely overlooked when this day trip to Wales was planned? Do they not have a list of significant dates in all commonwealth countries so that they are either best avoided or planned around? It beggars belief.
@Annakist
You’d *think* someone would consult a local calendar when planning BRF trips, appearances.
But not if they don’t actually care and aren’t planning to honor, acknowledge or work around important country-specific events. The Firm and BRF don’t give a effen epaulet about local customs and culture,
Thank you for this article! It was excellent and I learned quite a few things. Cheers!!
One of my duties at work is planning social events around the state in the spring. The first thing I do is look up all the religious observations and the school spring break schedules for that area, just so that I can avoid planning an event when it wouldn’t be appropriate.
KC could have gone to Wales last Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. He absolutely did not need to go on Friday, of all days. He was PoW for over 50 years, and in all that time he never learned about the significance of that date?! I’m certain the current Prince of Whines won’t care, either.
Guessing one or two young Welsh have seen the episode of the Crown about Charles not bothering to learn Welsh.
Whoa, King Charles why the many missteps and trippings on your own 2 feet?
The unseeming haste in appointing William as the new Prince of Wales, the ignoring of local sensitivities in visiting on 16 sep, an important date in welsh history. No wonder he was booed long and loud.
They are so busy monitoring Harry and Meghan , they forgot to monitor Wales.
Did they forget, or was this a centuries-old power play?
With these morons running the show, it could be either one
It was absolutely on purpose.
Taehyung’s Noona, I’m an American so I’m not familiar with the Welch culture, however, I am horrified that Chuck would try to “erase” an event that is so much a part of the culture. I have to assume that it was deliberate. The Windsors are nothing if not all up their “empire” identity.
I hope that Wales gets independence soon. I know that it means a lot of changes to make sure you’re economically stable etc., but I cannot imagine what it must be like having a monarchy that thinks so little of you. I hope the same for Scotland and No. Ireland. (Although I’m mostly british and Irish, I guess you know I’m proud of being Irish, and try never to say anything about the other.)
This is the same way they treat the commonwealth countries. What is wrong with them that they cannot get past the anointed by God propaganda and pretend for five minutes that they’re human beings. I swear that monarchy is nothing more than a bunch of people playing dress up.
The attitude of ignoring the man who spoke about the taxes and the parade and Charles’ annoyed expression shows he doesn’t give a rats ass for anyone except himself.
It seems as if it might have been a better idea to hold off on the whole “tour my realm” thing until after the funeral, and to hold a smaller funeral earlier as well thus enabling more dignitaries to beg off for schedule conflicts.
It isn’t 1910 anymore — massive royal funerals deserve to be buried alongside the idea of inherited power.
As for Chaz’ behavior, he needs training in how to respond without engaging. I can understand if he’s been told not to respond for fear of escalation; I can almost understand Security stepping in-between because verbal can be followed by physical — but then again, don’t go for the ‘meet and greet’ until tensions are lower.
It’s not a “comfort” for people to see the new King. Especially not now, not with that tough old act to follow, and not in the wake of a pandemic, inflation, Boris Johnson and with a brand-new ill-prepared Prime Minister.
Tone deaf, the lot of ’em.
I agree but it’s more than a funeral. It’s the end of a multi generational era and the beginning of the end of the monarchy. I can see how the nation might want a long drawn out closure. After the funeral, all who are staying respectfully silent will begin speaking out. Difficult conversations will be had.
The Wailes now own the Welsh resistance with their new PPssOW titles. They now have time deal with people that are going to be openly hostile to them. This comes with the job of sovereign and consort and no amount of fawning press is going to fix it. The dog has caught the car and now W & K will have to prove they can handle the tough stuff.
Interesting take.
I think that is the main reason why the title was given right away. Charles has seen the headwinds for decades now and it is for William to deal with now. Chuck has a crumbling empire to run, he doesn’t need to deal with the welsh directly anymore.
This too. It’s more like it did not happen under my watch.
Whew! A sigh of relief!
How fortunate the new PoW is such a brilliant diplomat, having studied hard and honed his skill in his years awaiting the title.
KC bequeathed the PoW title will all due haste. The Welsh dissatisfaction was probably at least one reason as to why if not the reason. KC must have known what September 16th meant to the people of Wales as well. Considering how he’s handling H&M, I would not be surprised if KC did all of this on purpose. As Aquarius64 stated, his problem is now owned by W&K (presumably neither of which speak Welsh and neither of which were seemingly prepared). The Welsh are peeved by the Prince Owain debacle. KC has gone on a monarch tour to rub new position in their faces. This man is so petty and he had diplomatic options he ignored.
Whew! Michael Sheen!!
Sympathetic to their loss, but now I’m gonna.tell y’all how it REALLLLLLLLLY is and boy he did!
I learned a lot in a short video and now off to do a deep dive into Wales and Welsh history
The only thing more I would have wanted from that video was him quoting his role as Tony Blair: “Will someone please save these people from themselves?!”
You really have to hate somebody to put on a pants and wait in a crowd to boo them.
Also, Chuckles must have had the opportunity to line up his siblings in order of favoritism.
Another foot put wrong, VERY WRONG, showing up on Owain Glyndŵr day. How tactless and insulting to the Welsh people. I imagine the new P&P of Wails will not get a warm Welsh welcome when they visit.
If this is how they “greet” Charles, I would strongly advise William and Kate to just stay home and forget about the PoW title. The Welsh seem pretty pumped–and not in a good way for royals.
Love it! Wish more folk would speak openly in public without retribution from brain dead royalists in the crowd.
As a wee aside: there was a tweet doing the rounds on Scottish Reddit that some wifey had made saying (paraphrasing) the Government should make it known to the Scots that if they get independence they wont have a monarchy etc … personally I dont see the problem!
The amazing tenacity of England to leech off other nations/continents till the end of time. It’s not something I admire, but they’ve got the zealousness and persistence of cockroaches–no matter how much humanity wants and tries to get rid of them, they just can’t do it. Of course, I take my hat off to India and the great Gandhi, who was obviously sent by God.
Just speaking on that top photo it looks like Camilla has had a bit of a glow up but Charles looks like a goblin king.
Gotta love the Welsh. If I live to see them booing the prince of pegging and his vicious wife, I can die happy.
Now there is agitation in Scotland again for independence. I bet it works this time.
I think King Charles the 3rd is doing an excellent job so far.
This is great