King Charles III

In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, Charles and his family gather as the new king. He immediately begins his first weekly audience with the Prime Minister, signaling a more active royal role in public life. The discussion centers on a newly passed bill for statutory press regulation that would curb the press's power.

Charles voices serious concerns about the press regulation bill, worrying it could restrict freedom and enable censorship. He questions how it could uncover abuse of power if the government controls the media. The Prime Minister refuses to concede any changes to the bill.

Mrs. Stevens, Leader of the Opposition, arrives for the weekly meeting with Charles. She expresses doubts about the bill and questions the government's motives. Despite reminders of his constitutional power, she sees little alternative but for Charles to sign.

One of Charles' first actions is to refuse royal assent to the press regulation bill. This directly challenges the PM and Parliament and signals a shift in the balance of power. The decision places the monarchy at the center of a constitutional crisis.

The PM holds a crisis meeting with the Opposition and then tries to persuade Charles to sign, but the king remains resistant. Evans threatens to bypass royal assent and push the bill through by other means. The standoff sharpens the political tension.

Facing escalating pressure, Charles uses the royal prerogative to dissolve Parliament, preventing the bill from taking effect. He hopes to avert a legislative route around royal authority. Douglas Rowe, the Speaker, supports the move and refuses to allow Parliament to reassemble.

Protests erupt across the country, with the most violent demonstrations in London. The crisis deepens the rift between the Crown and Parliament. In response, Charles increases the army guard at Buckingham Palace, further heightening tensions.

Charles offers royal protection to Jess Edwards, aiming to shield her from the media scandal surrounding leaked photographs. The gesture is intended to safeguard Harry's relationship and public image. The king's personal intervention marks a new dimension of royal involvement in private affairs.

Charles agrees to Harry's wish to become a commoner so he can pursue a life with Jess. The decision signals a significant break with tradition and an attempt to adapt to a changing royal dynamic. It also reduces potential public friction around the couple.

The PM meets with William and Catherine to discuss a way forward. Catherine proposes that William act as a mediator between Parliament and his father. The plan represents a shift toward a collaborative monarchy in the crisis.

William joins his father in a press conference to announce the mediation plan without the king's knowledge or consent. The public framing emphasizes restoring balance between Parliament and the monarchy. Charles learns of the plan as it is publicly presented.

In a tense meeting, William rebukes his father for creating disorder and hints at abdication as a remedy. The family is pulled between duty and public expectations. The exchange intensifies the push toward a resolution that would sideline Charles.

Catherine and Harry deliver an ultimatum to Charles: step down or risk losing the family from his life. Reluctantly, Charles abdicates in favor of William, who plans to sign the press bill and restore the pre-crisis order. The abdication marks the end of Charles's reign.

Before the coronation, Harry informs Jess that they can no longer stay together, as their plans would upset the new arrangement. The couple parts with a sense of inevitability about the changing royal landscape. This farewell underscores the personal costs of political upheaval.

William and Kate are crowned king and queen consort at Westminster Abbey. Charles, unable to concede publicly, places the crown on William's head in lieu of the Archbishop before exiting. The crowd erupts with cries of 'God Save the King,' signaling a new chapter for the nation.