King Charles the cautious - Continuity but little reform in first year on throne

As the king spends the first anniversary of his mother's death, and of his accession, at his Scottish Highland retreat today, he may reflect on a period of transition not seen in 70 years.

- Caroline Davies

Suggestions that King Charles, 74, sees himself as a "caretaker king", keeping the throne warm for the new prince of Wales who will be the real reformer, is not a scenario recognised at Buckingham Palace. There have been no eye-catching reforms, but there are clues to his aspirations in the small changes.

Charles has turbocharged royal receptions, harnessing their soft power, sources point out, in the knowledge he can no longer speak out publicly on subjects he remains passionate about. So, the "convening" king is a label it seems he will accept. When advised by Liz Truss's government not to attend the Cop27 climate conference in Egypt, he instead hosted an eve of Cop27 reception at Buckingham Palace. He found a way to remain a leader in the climate crisis field, albeit within the new constitutional parameters.

Now, "informal formality" are the bywords. Receptions are largerscale events, such as one held in February for the British east and south-east Asian communities. The nature of these receptions has changed from the late queen's days, precisely because Charles is no longer able to become involved in certain areas, sources indicate.

As head of state he also sees himself as a symbol of continuity, say sources. In the political turbulence of the early days of his reign, he was on to his second prime minister not longer after meeting his first.

Charles has made his debut as king on the international stage, addressing the German Bundestag, a first for a British monarch, and a similar honour will be accorded in France this month. He has also hosted the US president, Joe Biden, and the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa.