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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Saffron Otter

Everything King Charles III has to give up with his new role as monarch

While King Charles III' s new position as head of state comes with great privilege, it doesn't come without some sacrifices. The new monarch will have to give up some of his commitments from years gone by as he takes on a new realm of responsibilities and duties.

His late mother Queen Elizabeth II created him the Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester when he was a child, and from the moment the Queen ascended the throne on February 6, 1952, he has gone by the Duke of Cornwall. Each of these titles came with accountability and commitments, which will now be passed onto his eldest son and heir to the throne, Prince William - who has automatically assumed the title of Duke of Cornwall, and will most likely be honoured as the Prince of Wales in the weeks to come.

King Charles is also a patron and member of hundreds of charities, which he now won't be able to devote as much time too. And just yesterday, it was revealed that he may have to give up some of his staff - as dozens of Clarence House employees including private secretaries were given notice of the threat of redundancy. Here we take a look at what exactly he will have to give up as King...

For the latest updates as the world mourns the Queen and King Charles III's reign begins, follow our live blog

The then Duke and Duchess of Cornwall at a reception in support of the Elephant family, a charity set up by Mark Shand (AFP via Getty Images)

Following the Queen's peaceful passing at Balmoral on Thursday, King Charles addressed the nation with his first speech in his new role.

He explained how his time working with his charities will now be limited.

The King founded the youth charity the Prince's Trust in 1976, sponsors the Prince's Charities, and is a patron, president, or a member of over 400 other charities and organisations.

"As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation," he told the public.

"And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.

"My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities.

"It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others."

As the Prince of Wales, he also became known as a passionate campaigner and driver for action on climate change and environmental issues.

The former Prince of Wales looking to the public and private sectors to help build a more sustainable future (PA)

Just last year, he held a major presence at the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow, where he urged world leaders to work together to save the planet in a speech during the opening ceremony.

However as head of state, the monarch is obliged to remain politically neutral.

Although advisers say he won't sit back on the issue of global warming.

His former press secretary, Julian Payne, told the BBC: "The King is a convener, connecting people and organisations in ways that open up possibilities and create solutions."

Charles would invite "the best brains and the most experienced people and listen to their ideas and advice".

"I suspect it is a modus operandi that will continue as he takes on this new role."

When it comes to his commitments in Cornwall, the King also addressed these in his speech.

Charles and Camilla visit the fishing village of Mousehole near Penzance in July 2022 (Getty Images)
Former Prince of Wales makes a speech during a garden party at Boconnoc House to mark the 70th anniversary of The Duke of Cornwall being head of the Duchy of Cornwall on July 18, 2022 (Getty Images)

"As my Heir, William now assumes the Scottish titles which have meant so much to me," he continued.

"He succeeds me as Duke of Cornwall and takes on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall which I have undertaken for more than five decades."

Not only has William now inherited new titles, he has also inherited the £1billion Duchy of Cornwall estate.

The estate is made up of around 134,000 acres of land in more than 23 counties in the UK.

It reportedly generated £20.5million in 2019, which Charles used to fund his public, charitable and private activities.

Earlier this summer, when attending a garden party at Boconnoc House, Lostwithiel, the new King, as Prince of Wales at the time, said since becoming Duke of Cornwall, he had attended more than 300 events in the region.

However these will now be few and far between.

He added: "My visits have taken me across the whole Cornish landscape from farms to forests to gardens, foreshores, quays, rivers, mines, churches, Truro Cathedral, castles, museums, G.P. surgeries, town halls – the list seems to be endless!

"The one common factor across all of this has been the remarkable people".

Meanwhile, there will be a shake-up with his staff as Charles's office will move from Clarence House to nearby monarchy HQ, Buckingham Palace.

Dozens of Clarence House staff were given notice of the threat of redundancy while they worked round the clock in the wake of the King's accession, The Guardian has revealed.

The new King hosting meetings inside Clarence House in 2020 (Getty Images)

Private secretaries, the finance office, the communications team and other loyal household employees were among those who received the letter.

The King's top aide, his principal private secretary Sir Clive Alderton said, in a letter seen by The Guardian, that the change in role for Charles and Camilla, now Queen Consort, meant that Clarence House will be "closed down".

He said the former Prince of Wales' personal interests and former activities will no longer be carried out.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "Following last week's Accession, the operations of the Household of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have ceased and, as required by law, a consultation process has begun.

"Our staff have given long and loyal service and, while some redundancies will be unavoidable, we are working urgently to identify alternative roles for the greatest possible number of staff."

You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative

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