Charles, Britain's conflicted new monarch

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Charles meets local community groups after meeting volunteers and supporters of Caithness food bank at Carnegie Library in Wick, Scotland, Britain July 29, 2022. Andrew Milligan/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - With the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth on Thursday, Prince Charles has finally become king of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms, ending a wait of more than 70 years - the longest by an heir in British history.

The role will be daunting. His late mother was overwhelmingly popular and respected, but she leaves a royal family that has seen reputations tarnished and relationships strained, including over lingering allegations of racism against Buckingham Palace officials.