King Charles Faces a Changing Future as Global Ties Shift

The British monarch says he will step back if Commonwealth nations want to go their own way, even as he takes on a bigger role in politics.

King Charles is making it clear that he won't stand in the way of change. The British monarch recently stated that he will only lead the Commonwealth countries—a group of nations that used to be part of the British Empire—as long as those countries want him to. If they decide they want to move on and stop having the King as their head of state, he is open to that. Palace officials say they are ready for these nations to choose their own path. While this is happening, the King is also becoming more involved in the day-to-day work of government. Some people in the UK see him as a "secret wea…