How King Charles has modernised the monarchy for the future generation of royals

As King Charles ascended to the throne, the monarchy entered a new chapter - his reign, unlike those before him, is marked by a deliberate effort to modernise the institution in response to the rapidly changing landscape of British society.

His Majesty, 75, has not been afraid to take a stand on community issues, most notably the UK riots, which have dominated the front pages of newspapers in recent weeks. In the wake of the riots, it was understood that the King was keen to be kept updated on the rapidly evolving situation.

King Charles traveled to Southport this week to express his "sympathy and empathy" for people in the town. He met survivors and emergency service workers and also signed a book of condolences.

The King previously issued a statement in the wake of the stabbing, where three young girls tragically died after an attacker entered a Taylor Swift themed dance class, saying how he was "profoundly shocked to hear of the utterly horrific incident".

By addressing such local issues, the King has adopted an approachable mannerism with members of the public during his walkabouts.

One of the key pillars of King Charles’s modernisation agenda is a streamlined Royal Family. For years, Charles has been vocal about his vision for a "slimmed-down" monarchy, focusing on a smaller group of working royals who represent the crown in official duties.

By narrowing the focus to core members such as himself, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their children, Charles aims to create a more efficient and cost-effective royal institution.

This move addresses growing public concerns about the monarchy’s expenses, ensuring that taxpayer funds are directed toward a leaner, more functional Royal Family.

However, last year in 2023, some slammed the Buckingham Palace balcony appearance for Trooping the Colour as "boring" as they missed the larger number of royals who used to be there, with the number dropping from more than 40 in 2019 for the Queen to just 14.

This year in particular, King Charles has also proved himself as an "approachable" leader. The well-earned label is often proven through his sweet and compassionate interactions with the public.

A surprising incident occurred on July 16, as King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, continued their two-day visit to the Channel Islands, engaging with local residents.

A jovial pensioner, Kathleen Moriarty, 91, truly made the visit unforgettable when she boldly requested a kiss from the monarch. In a video clip shared by the BBC, the local woman placed her hand on the King's shoulder as he approached to greet her. The pair engaged in conversation before Kathleen seized the moment to make an extraordinary request, reports the Mirror.

The woman recalled the incident and told viewers: "I says to him, 'Please can I give you a kiss? ' And he give me his cheek."

The United Kingdom and the Commonwealth are home to a richly diverse population, and King Charles is keenly aware that the monarchy must reflect this.

His efforts to engage with various faiths and cultures, both within Britain and across the Commonwealth, are intended to make the monarchy more representative of the people it serves.

For instance, during key events like his Coronation, Charles incorporated elements that highlight Britain’s multi-faith society, demonstrating his commitment to unity in diversity.

Before he was officially crowned, the royal delivered a speech in 2022 in which he emphasised the need to protect other religions, later addressing this directly during his Coronation.

Charles addressed religious leaders from across many faiths during a reception at Buckingham Palace, stating aims to protect "religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals".