Timing? BBC ready to crown “King Charles III”

No the BBC didn’t just accidentally abdicate HRH, like The Sun killing off Prince Philip…..

But on the same day Buckingham Palace announced the Duke of Edinburgh would retreat from public life, the BBC announced a broadcast date for its one-off “future drama” King Charles III.

The project is an adaptation of an Olivier Award-winning play by Mike Bartlett (Doctor Foster, Press).

The late Tim Pigott-Smith recreates his West End performance as Prince Charles, who has waited a lifetime to ascend to the throne, but when he finally does he finds himself wrestling his conscience over a bill to sign into law. His hesitation detonates a constitutional and political crisis and divides his family, with William and Kate realising his actions may threaten their future.

Meanwhile an unhappy Prince Harry starts a relationship with a commoner, just when the press is looking to attack…

With the Monarchy’s future under threat, protests on the streets and his family in disarray, Charles must grapple with his identity and purpose, to decide whether the Crown still has any real power.

The cast also includes Oliver Chris as William, Richard Goulding as Harry and Margot Leicester as Camilla. Adam James also reprises his role as Prime Minister Tristram Evans. Charlotte Riley plays Kate Middleton, as have Priyanga Burford as Mrs Stevens and Tamara Lawrance as Jess.

It airs next week on BBC. No word on an Australian broadcast as yet.

Star Tim Pigott-Smith died last month.