By Molly Bishop

Earlier this month King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla made their first public visit to Scotland since the Queen’s death. The royal couple visited Dunfermline to celebrate it becoming the official eighth city in Scotland, the new King kitted out in his tartan kilt, greeted the cheering crowds.

King Charles delivered a speech in the Dunfermline City Chambers in which he paid tribute to his mother’s love for Scotland saying “… but also to commemorate the life of Her late Majesty, whose deep love for Scotland was one of the foundations of her life.”

Scotland in many ways has always been a special place for the Royals, but indeed the late Queen’s love for Scotland was unmatched compared to the current monarch. The Queen chose to spend a lot of her free time at the Balmoral estate near Aberdeen, which she would often refer to as the place she was the happiest. Therefore, it is unsurprising that it would eventually become her final resting place.

Her mother was part of an aristocratic Scottish family, and her recognition of Scotland’s beauty and culture was always something that seemed to strengthen the bond between the English Monarchy and the Scots, wherever it could. Scotland has traditionally always been a more anti-monarchy country, but the Queen’s respect for the country often resulted in her being a more traditionally well-respected member of the Royal family. In a recent YouGov survey, 83% of Scots agreed that Queen Elizabeth had done a good job during her time on the throne. In a separate survey, 80% of Scots stated that they had a positive opinion of the Queen, which was significantly higher than any other member of the Royal Family.

Charles, however, has always had less of a connection to Scotland and despite his tartan kilt and smiling face in Dunfermline this month, the relationship between the monarchy and Scotland is entering unpracticable times with him as King. In the same survey, it showed that only 58% of Scots believe that Charles will do a good job as King and in a separate study done by thinktank Britain this year, it found that less than half of the Scottish population wanted to keep the monarchy.

Professor Tom Devine, a well-known Scottish historian stated that the morning of the Queen would come in two phases “For a period of time there will be tremendous, good wishes and also sympathy for the royal family in general and Charles in particular… After that, I think there will be little chance of him attracting that same level of affection.” As the national morning of the Queen has passed, the criticisms of the Royals returned in the full and uncensored swing.

Perhaps one of the biggest issues threatening the future relationship between Scotland and the Monarchy is the ever-looming possibility of a second Scottish Independence referendum. Nicola Sturgeon has always attempted to remain loyal to the Royal family as the First Minister. After the Queen’s death the Deputy First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, stated his Party (SNP) would recognise King Charles as the head of state of an Independent Scotland.

However, this opinion contrasts with the officials of the Alba party who claim to believe that the monarchy should end ruling over Scotland following the Queen’s death and that having a monarchy in an Independent Scotland is not something they would support.

Charles by the looks of it not only has less enthusiasm from the Scots than his late mother but also that following the Queen’s death many Scots believe it is time for the Monarchy to be abolished. The Thinktank report found that only 45% of scots wanted to keep the Monarchy, 36% believing that the end of the Queen’s reign would be the appropriate time to become a republic.

The issues circulating Scottish independence are only leading to further debate on whether he should be recognised as the country’s head of state, resulting in further challenges for his relationship with Scotland. Charles, now King, is facing a very uncertain time when it comes to his role as Monarch of Scotland. As he continues to be recognised as the head of state, he will need to perhaps recognise, more so than his mother ever had to, how the Scots desires may differ from those in other nations. He will need to portray himself as both the head of state but also as more of a Scotsman who can be seen as an ally, in all his tartan glory.