KING Charles is fully prepared to be monarch and is taking the job “incredibly seriously”, according to the former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland.

Sir Robert was commenting on yesterday’s coronation as the first person to be knighted by the new King.

He told GB News: “We have our chats when we see each other and I have to say that I think nobody is better prepared to be King than this one.

“It’s not just a question of waiting. He’s prepared for this. I get the sense that there is a serious sense of purpose. He’s taking the job incredibly seriously.

“We saw that yesterday. It’s a solemn ceremony, a religious ceremony laden with huge symbolism that has been laid down through the centuries, of course you’re going to take it seriously. But what I like about the king is that he’s also able to not take himself seriously and laugh at things.”

In a discussion during The Camilla Tominey Show, he continued: “That sense of humour, I think, carries him through his onerous public duties. I mean, who would want that job?

“It’s a job like no other and it’s a job that he’s now, I think, ideally equipped to do.”

Asked about the arrests of anti-monarchy protesters by police, he said: “I think the police have a very difficult job on the ground in operations to judge what might happen and what might not happen.

“Can you imagine what would have happened if they’ve done nothing? And then we’ve had some obstruction on the parade or worse?

Mr Buckland also addressed claims that new legislation on demonstrations was draconian in the wake of arrests which were made yesterday. He said: “I supported this legislation, in fact I was the minister who helped put it through and I think it was absolutely right we did so because I can tell you we’d be up for lots of criticism.

“The police would be in the dock if they let something happen and the parade was obstructed or horses were frightened. We can’t, that’s not safe.”