Buckingham Palace’s courtiers had to cut their vacations short just to give a few briefings to news outlets about the white nationalist riots in England. After ignoring the riots for more than a week – a week in which Charles was seen enjoying the Highland Games without a care in the world – the courtiers finally sent some emails to friendly media outlets saying that of course Charles has “asked for daily updates” on all of the riots and hate crimes. So, we know Charles is being kept informed of targeted hate crimes against people of color, immigrants and anyone who stands up for them. But please don’t expect Charles to do anything other than stay informed.

King Charles is not currently expected to make visits or official statements about the wave of rioting, at least until after the the initial days of unrest have calmed down. According to royal sources, he is being kept updated daily about the public disorder. But a royal intervention is so far not imminent, with a response to the protests being left to the government, rather than a monarch who is expected to stay out of politics.

It follows the precedent of the late Queen Elizabeth who did not send any messages during the rioting of 2011. In such previous cases, royal visits to trouble spots have tended to follow after the wave of unrest and violence has settled.

However, the lack of an immediate public response to the riots from the King has been criticised as a “cowardly absence” by the anti-monarchy group, Republic.

“We’re told the monarch is supposed to be a figurehead who unites the nation, yet when the nation is in crisis he’s nowhere to be seen,” said its leader, Graham Smith.

That was rejected by historian and author Sir Anthony Seldon, who said: “Now is not the right time for the King to become involved. He is head of state, and it’s appropriate that while the crisis is going on, the head of government, the prime minister, handles the crisis management and says what is needed to be said. The time for the King to speak, if at all, is when everything has calmed down again. The issues that have led the riots are not going to go away quickly. We need to hear his considered thoughts then about societal harmony,” Sir Anthony told the BBC.

Historian Kate Williams, on Times Radio, said the King should speak out now to promote community cohesion. “This would be a moment for the King to talk about multiculturalism, the Commonwealth, people coming together, and I think that if I were advising him I would suggest making that statement sooner rather than later,” she said.

But constitutional expert Craig Prescott, in a social media post, said it would be “problematic” for the King to intervene now. “In general, the monarchy does not comment on current political events,” he said, suggesting any visits should come later, helping with efforts to rebuild community relations.

[From The BBC]

The truth is, if Charles wanted to speak up or do some in-person community outreach or even meet with the families of the murdered girls, he would. He would go there or make a statement encouraging peaceful multicultural unity and the courtiers, government and media would find a way to justify it and explain why it was fine/bold/smart in this case. But because Charles doesn’t want to get involved, this is all moot. For all of this talk about Charles doing things his way and waving away the advice of his mother’s counsellors, Charles would rather dither and fuss over Camilla.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.