Is King Charles III destined to be Charles I of Scotland? What does the future hold for King Charles and the British monarchy if Scotland becomes independent?

One of Britain's leading historians says Charles III could be crowned king of a separate realm in Scotland taking the title Charles I north of the border.

Speaking at the Gloucester History Festival Spring Weekend tomorrow evening, Friday, April 21, Professor David Carpenter of Kings College London will argue that the role of the monarchy after any future break-up of the United Kingdom is a huge challenge with which Charles has to grapple.

Professor Carpenter is Britain's leading medievalist and a world expert on the life and reign of Henry III.

He will tell an audience in Gloucester's Blackfriars Priory that the whole future of the monarchy is a vital subject of national interest.

"It's conceivable that within the period of his reign, Charles may be the king of a separate realm in Scotland. We may be going back to 1603, no one has thought of this problem but it would be just like James I in England who was James VI in Scotland; He would be Charles III in England and Charles I in Scotland."

Two weeks before Charles III's Coronation in Westminster Abbey, Prof.Carpenter will be debating royalty and what defines greatness with fellow historians Dr Janina Ramirez and Helen Carr.

He will tell them: "I think Charles is a sensitive individual and he is aware of the challenges facing modern monarchy - which are great."

In 2014 Scottish voters rejected independence by 55% to 45%. No new referendum is currently planned but the issue continues to be widely debated.

David Carpenter attended the last Coronation in 1953, watching the ceremony from the North Transept while his father, Edward, carried the Sovereign's orb in the litany procession in his role as a Canon of Westminster (later serving as Dean 1974 - 1985).

"I remember very vividly the crown descending on the Queen's head," says Professor Carpenter. "I can still see it in my mind's eye."

What Makes A Great Monarch? With David Carpenter, Helen Carr and Janina Ramirez. Friday 21st April 2023 at 8pm. Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester GL1 2HN