King Charles III, George VII or Edward IX?

The eldest son of the ageing Queen of England, HRH Elizabeth II - Charles, Prince of Wales - is next in line for the throne. English monarchs usually choose a regnal (ruling) name to give a sense of continuity.


What are the pros and cons of Prince Charles' options?

Rule as George VII - Pros:
The last couple of Georges - VI & V - have been popular kings.

George VI was a stuttering chain smoker who reluctantly took on the burden of the throne (the stress of which eventually killed him) when his playboy brother abdicated because he wasn't allowed to marry a scrawny American dominatrix.

The modern Georges established the famous George Cross & the Order of the British Empire Medals which everybody loves.

Rule as George VII - Cons:
The earlier Georges in all manner & form constitute the cons.

Starting from George I, a plump disaffected non-English speaking German who imprisoned his wife for the sin of adultery, his son George II who was delighted when his own son was killed by a blow to the head with a cricket ball, and the most infamous of all - George III, the insane porphyria victim who lost the American colonies.

Not to overlook his son George IV whose profligate lifestyle and obscene spending led to this obituary in TheTimes - "There was never an individual less regretted by his fellow creatures than this deceased king."

Rule as Charles III - Pros: Nil

Rule as Charles III - Cons:
Charles I was voted out of office and beheaded.

His son, Charles II roamed aimlessly about Europe for 9 years sponging off sympathisers before being restored to the throne after Oliver Cromwell's grim puritan regime ended. Upon restoration, Charles II lived it up and is remembered as the "merrie monarch" for the number of mistresses he was able to accommodate.

His son, James II was kicked off the throne for being Catholic and despite many attempts, never regained it.

His grandson, Bonnie Prince Charlie, also failed dismally to regain the throne and when his dreams of ruling as Charles III were dashed, he died an alcoholic in Rome.

Not looking good so far....

Edward IX?

I think Prince Charles' best bet to reflect his unique persona would be Edward IX. He fits in well in continuity with Edward VII who came to the throne as an old man after spending a virtual lifetime waiting for his mother Queen Victoria to die and the effete playboy Edward VIII with his divorcee-mistress-wife. But that might be a little too close to the bone...