Coming on top of Charles III's instant decision to bestow the title of Prince of Wales on his son without even informing the parliament and first minister of the nation, the choice of this special day for his visit to Cardiff has aggravated anti-Carolean feeling. It surely was a decision born of isolation and ignorance rather than a studied insult to the nation as many nationalists believe, but reprehensible all the same.
In practical terms, the abrupt sacking of loyal Clarence House staff is worse. One expects the head of state to set an example, to be in the forefront of modern employment practices, not to revert to the style of an early Victorian mill-owner.
Earlier, elsewhere I had posted that Charles was unlikely to emulate the character of his predecessors, the autocratic and arrogant Charles I or the louche and irresponsible Charles II. I may be shown to be wrong in the first instance, but there is still a chance to add concern for his people to the commitment made in his first post-accession address to the nation, that he would follow the path duty laid down by his mother.
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