King Charles III is facing harsh criticism online after a viral video showed him shooing staff to clear his desk for him while he signed his accession proclamation on Saturday, September 10. Charles succeeded his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, after she died September 8 at the age of 96, ending her 70-year reign as Britain's longest reigning monarch.
The video garnered negative attention, particularly as many suggested that it did not bode well for what the British public can expect from Charles now that he's officially ascended to the throne.
The video shows Charles gesturing to a staff member to remove an inkwell before he sat down.
He then smiled at the aide as he signed the proclamation.
Twitter users were less than impressed, remarking that his behavior was indicative of the attitude Charles will bring as he enters a new stage in his years of royal service, one he has been groomed for his entire life.
The Queen's funeral procession is currently making its way through the United Kingdom per intrinsically detailed instructions outlined in Operation London Bridge, which includes the announcement of her death, the period of official mourning, and the details of her state funeral, which is slated for September 19.
In his first address to Parliament at Westminster Hall, Charles pledged to follow the late Queen's "selfless duty" and called Parliament the "living and breathing instrument of our democracy."
The newly-minted King said that when very young, his mother "pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government which lie at the heart of our nation" and said he had "resolved faithfully to follow."
Charles's address followed official condolences from members of both Houses of Parliament, which took place in the same hall where the Queen's body is scheduled to lie in state and expected to be visited by some 750,000 mourners.
@tulipanet/Bluesky
@which–witch–ru/Bluesky
@phillip–rees/Bluesky
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social