His Majesty, King Charles III, is now receiving the iconic red boxes

King Charles III has been pictured with his red box for the first time. The image shows the King carrying out official government duties in the Eighteenth Century Room at Buckingham Palace.

Source: King Charles III pictured with red box for the first time | GB News (UK)

The Anglophilic Anglican has, again, written previously on the subject of the iconic “red boxes,” also known as “despatch boxes” [sic – UK spelling], or sometimes, because it is not only the Monarch who receives them, “ministerial boxes.” But now it is His Majesty, King Charles III, not the late and much-lamented Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who is receiving them… and their contents, as he fulfills a constitutional Monarch’s right and duty “to be consulted, to encourage, and to warn.”

As the linked article notes,

“Red boxes contain papers from government ministers in the UK and the realms, as well as Commonwealth representatives. Documents are sent from the private secretary’s office to the King, wherever he is around the world, in a locked, red despatch box. These include papers which require a signature, briefing documents and information about forthcoming meetings.”

Barrow Hepburn & Gale, makers of the iconic red boxes, elaborate,

“Despatch Boxes or ‘Red Boxes’, are a visible symbol of our democratic system of government. They ensure the efficient and secure transportation of sensitive documents that impact the United Kingdom and our relations with other countries. They contain the state decisions that are made by The Monarch, the Prime Minister and other ministers. 
 
”The designation of the Despatch box goes back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and refers to an important message for the Queen. The modern role of Boxes in the governance process has not changed for over a century. The papers they contain ensure there is transparency in the decision making process, and provide a historic record. Physical documents and papers remain as important now as ever. 
 
”Each day the papers contained in the Despatch Boxes are prepared for the Sovereign, and the ministers by their private offices. Papers included usually require decisions. Other documents include briefing papers and papers for meetings. Red Boxes follow their holder around the world, ensuring they can execute the responsibilities of their office. Wherever in the world the Sovereign or Minister is, the Red Box is close by.”

In other words, the publication of this photo is confirmation – and assurance – that the new Monarch is “on the job,” acting in accordance with his formal role within the the British system of constitutional monarchy known as “Crown in Parliament.”

It should be noted that, although the Monarch’s participation in day-to-day government is largely formal and strongly circumscribed by law and custom, it is generally acknowledged that the Crown does retain what are known as “reserve powers” of the “royal prerogative” (thus sometimes called “prerogative powers”), which in extreme circumstances could allow the Monarch to act without consent of, or even against the wishes of, his or her Government.

Thus, the Monarch acts as the ultimate “check and balance” against what we, here in the States, might think of as “government overreach.” But because acting in this way would precipitate a constitutional crisis (if there was not already one on-going, which necessitated the Monarch’s direct intervention) – and because if it was not done with overwhelming majority support of the people, could result in the downfall of the Monarchy itself – this has not happened in modern times.

The Monarch’s power, in practice, is largely “soft power,” accomplished through personal example, wise counsel, and moral suasion. Nonetheless, as this article in “The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs” points out,

“While the [Monarch] retains significant power, it is primarily exercised by way of influence before final decisions are made. This averts any need to exercise [his] reserve powers to act without, or contrary to, ministerial advice. The existence of those reserve powers, nonetheless, remains essential to the effectiveness of the sovereign’s personal influence.”

Her Late and Most Excellent Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, held this balance to near-perfection; furthermore, her character, conduct, and personality were such that she had soft power in spades! Nonetheless, there were times in her 70-year reign when we may safely presume that she had to bite her tongue, or accept a less-than-desirable outcome, due to the over-arching need to avoid a constitutional crisis that could damage both the Monarchy and the country itself.

His Majesty, Charles III, is a different person than his late Mother, and every Sovereign places their own stamp on the Monarchy. And he certainly has “big shoes to fill,” and much less time to fill them! But he has the potential – he certainly has the training and experience, under her tutelage – to be a worthy successor to her who some have called Queen Elizabeth the Great! Let us hope and pray he rises to the challnge.

At the very least, this picture gives us reason to hope that he has inherited something of his late Mother’s diligence and devotion to duty!