Russell Myers: 'King Charles getting ahead of republicanism is important gift to William'

For more than seventy years, Buckingham Palace has handled the steady departure of realms from the Crown in near silence. Countries made their decisions, the Palace sent warm messages, and nobody spoke openly about what it all meant for the monarchy. Under the reign of King Charles, that has all changed. The disclosure that the King is "fully open" to being removed as head of state, in any realm that no longer wants him, is one of the most significant statements on the future of the institution in living memory. The Palace has been careful to present it as nothing new. Indeed, Charles has said this in private before, wishing to create partnership among nations rather than be seen as an authoritarian ruler over countries where he remains head of state. Aides point out that 17 realms became republics during the late Queen's reign and point to Barbados, where in 2021, I witnessed history taking place as Charles watched what would have been his own title pass to a president. That, and the fact Barbados is flourishing under its new found future, they say, is proof that the process can be handled with grace. All of that is true. But there is a difference between accepting change when it comes and saying openly that you are ready for it. The late Queen Elizabeth II never framed her role this way. Her approach was to serve as long as she was asked and to say very little about what came after. Of course, Charles’ reign has to be framed in a very different way, considering he has not been one to hide his feelings on an array of subjects, from politics, the environment, architecture and society during the 50 years he was his mother's understudy. Yet, despite interviews to mark his 70th birthday eight years ago, where he said he recognised the change he would have to make when he became the monarch, Charles continues to go further than perhaps we expected. In Kigali in 2022, he told Commonwealth leaders that the choice between monarchy and republic was a matter for each nation. Now, he is making clear the Royal Family will not stand in the way, and will actively help shape whatever comes next. His son and heir, Prince William, has also voiced these sentiments at the end of his and Catherine’s controversial tour of the Caribbean in 2022, saying: “In Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon. The timing of this latest proclamation is no accident. The King has just returned from nine days in the Caribbean in which the questions of slavery, reparations and his own position followed him at every stop. Philip Davis in the Bahamas and Gaston Browne in Antigua and Barbuda both made clear they are open to a future without the Crown. Rather than look like a monarch clinging on, Charles has chosen to get ahead of the argument. It is a shrewd move, and a typically pragmatic one from a King who has always cared more about the Commonwealth than about the number of realms he holds. His bet is that his influence does not depend on his title. The reaction at the summit in Antigua suggests he may be right. Anthony Albanese, whose party wants an Australian republic, spoke warmly of their relationship. Guyana's President Irfaan Ali went further, saying the Commonwealth would lose its convening power without him. That is the future the King is now openly planning for. He would be the head of a family of nations that values him for what he brings rather than for the crown on the coins. It may also be the most important gift he can hand to William, who will inherit a Commonwealth where he is welcomed by choice, not by the blind habits of the past.