September 8, 2022 was a sad day for royalists everywhere; on this day, Queen Elizabeth II, at age 96, died.
But, as with any monarchy, as soon as the Queen passed, her eldest child ascended the throne, becoming King Charles III.
A year on since that tragic day, while many are still mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth, it’s undeniable that King Charles has achieved many feats in his year of being king.
Read on to see everything King Charles has accomplished in his first year of being a monarch – from political and diplomatic moves, to supporting causes close to his heart such as the environment.
01
Most recently, King Charles made an impassioned speech about climate change saying that words are no longer enough. Speaking at the opening of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai on December 1, 2023, the King said that it is our grandchildren who will live with the consequences of climate action or inaction.
“In 2050, our grandchildren won’t be asking what we said, they will be living with the consequences of what we did or didn’t do.”
“The earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth,” King Charles said at the conclusion of the speech.
Even prior to this speech, King Charles has been a dedicated advocate for climate change for decades. He now seems to be bringing this passion to his role as a monarch.
“Change will come by working together and making it easier to embrace decisions that will sustain our world, rather than carrying on as though there are no limits – or as though our actions have no consequences.”
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 1, 2023
The King delivers a speech at the Opening Ceremony of the World… pic.twitter.com/IJGHILnP80
04
In July 2023, King Charles hosted a reception to celebrate the work of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio (a collection of plays by Shakespeare). A copy of the First Folio lives in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, but it was on display during the reception, which was attended by notable guests such as Dame Judi Dench, Helena Bonham Carter CBE and Dame Vanessa Redgrave.
05
On July 10, 2023, King Charles met with US President Joe Biden to discuss how to best tackle climate change. This visit marked the first official meeting between the two since King Charles ascended the throne.
The meeting took place at Windsor Castle where, according to The White House, the two men met with a group of leading philanthropists and investors to address mobilising finances in the face of climate crisis.
06
On July 5, 2023, the government of Scotland honoured the crowning of King Charles and Queen Camilla. The event took place during Scotland’s ‘Royal Week’ with special processions and a church service in Edinburgh.
The ‘second coronation’ was a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth who, following her 1953 coronation, travelled to Scotland for a second event to recognise Scotland’s historic significance within the United Kingdom. You can read more about King Charles’ second coronation here.
07
On June 20, 2023, His Majesty hosted a reception at St James’s Palace on the eve of the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference, further expressing his support of the people of Ukraine.
08
June 17, 2023, marked the annual Trooping the Colour ceremonial event. However, this was the first time that the event was held in honour of King Charles. To mark the special occasion, Charles decided to revive a tradition and rode on horseback during the Trooping the Colour parade. The last time a British monarch rode horseback for the parade was in 1986.
09
On June 16, 2023, King Charles appointed Queen Camilla to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, which represents the highest honour in Scotland.
10
On June 15, 2023, King Charles began the Portugal-650 commemorations by welcoming The President of The Portuguese Republic to Buckingham Palace. While there, together they reviewed a combined Guard of Honour. The celebrations marked 650 years of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world still in force.
01
On May 6, 2023, King Charles had his coronation ceremony and was officially crowned King. You can read all about the coronation in full detail here.
04
In recognition of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s 150th anniversary, on April 28, 2023, King Charles was appointed and formally accepted the role of Commissioner-in-Chief.
05
On April 27, 2023, King Charles presented new Standards and Colours to the Royal Navy, the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, The King’s Company of the Grenadier Guards and The King’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force at Buckingham Palace.
06
The late Queen Elizabeth established the Green Canopy initiative in May 2021. King Charles along with his son, Prince William marked the end of the initiative by planting an Acer tree in the gardens of Sandringham House on April 2, 2023.
07
In March 2023, King Charles embarked on the first State Visit of his reign. He visited Germany for three days, along with his wife Queen Camilla, and while there, made history. How? On March 30, The King became the first British Monarch to ever address the Bundestag (the national parliament of Germany).
08
In February 2023, King Charles met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Buckingham Palace to express his personal support for the people of Ukraine. The UK has provided a range of economic, humanitarian and defensive military assistance to Ukraine, and imposed several sanctions on Russia and Belarus since the conflict began.
09
On October 28, 2022, King Charles was named as the new Captain General of the Royal Marines. The announcement was made on the 358th anniversary of the founding of the Corps of Royal Marines.
10
On October 25, 2022, King Charles met with Elizabeth Truss and she tendered her resignation as the British Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. His Majesty accepted Ms Truss’ resignation and immediately met with Rishi Sunak. Upon meeting with Mr Sunak, Charles appointed him as the new British Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, and requested he form a new Administration. Mr Sunak graciously accepted. Rishi Sunak is the first British Asian and Hindu prime minister.
