Many people feel nervous the night before a big speech. But very few have had as many nights to chew over a speech as Charles III, who yesterday gave his first ever King's SpeechA speech by the British monarch outlining the UK government's plans for the year ahead. after 74 years of waiting.

Some of the measures he announced have cross-party support, like a gradual smoking ban and a new regulator for English football. Others are red meat for the ToryA member of the Conservative party.  faithful, from new licences for oil and gas projects to tougher sentences for prisoners.

The King's Speech is one of the stranger aspects of Britain's public life. Although the monarch reads out the plans, they are not his own ideas and he will have no part in carrying them out.

And the event is accompanied by a number of odd traditions. Before the speech, bodyguards have to search below the Palace of WestminsterWhere the UK's House of Commons and House of Lords meet. for explosives - a nod to the Gunpowder PlotA failed attempt to assassinate King James I of England in November 1605. .

A random MPMember of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK. is ceremonially kidnapped and held in Buckingham Palace to ensure the king's safe return. The speech is held in the House of LordsIn the UK, the upper chamber of the UK Parliament. It is made up of hereditary peers, the Lords Spiritual (bishops) and life peers. because the king is not permitted to enter the House of CommonsThe democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament.  - and to mark this independence, the monarch's agent in Parliament, Black RodIn the UK, a House of Lords official who controls access to the House. , has to have the door slammed in her face when she comes to summon MPs.

This year there is an extra layer of complication: almost nothing announced in the speech will actually be carried out. Parliament will meet on likely only around 100 days before the next general election, not enough time to pass the legislation proposed in the speech.¹

For now, few experts believe the Conservatives will win that vote. The Labour PartyThe main left-wing political party in the UK. 's average poll lead is 20%.² Afterwards, it will immediately ditch this whole agenda.

Which is why some think Charles, who is known for radical ideas, may be interested in hearing an alternative script. Here are five bold new ideas for Britain he could have announced:

New towns: Some of Britain's most iconic towns, from Milton Keynes to Letchworth, were built from scratch in the last century. We could get building again to ease the housing crisis - and Charles could put his strong views on architecture to good use, ensuring these new settlements are easy on the eye.

RewildingReturning developed or farmed land to its natural state by reintroducing species that once lived there. : Fully one-sixth of all the UK's species are at risk of extinction. That includes our most iconic critters, like the lovable sleepy dormouse and the melodious turtle dove.³ We are one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.⁴ Charles could pledge to bring back the great British countryside.

Brand-new railway: Britain's rail network is broken, but the need for railways has never been greater. Why not build a new line stretching from Brighton up to the Orkney IslandsA group of Scottish islands. People live on 20 of the islands. , a British Trans-Siberian RailwayThe longest railway line in the world, connecting Moscow in Russia's west to Vladivostok in the far east. ?

Channel Bridge: And while we are at it, why stop at the southern coast? A bridge across the Channel would offer stunning views and relieve pressure on the Channel Tunnel, where post-Brexit checks have resulted in long queues.

Commonwealth state: Charles is not just king of the UK, but head of the CommonwealthOfficially called the Commonwealth of Nations, it was set up in 1926. There are 54 members in all., a group of 56 states that spans every continent and contains about a third of the world population.⁵ If all of these countries worked together more, the bloc could be very powerful.

Yes: Charles was never likely to throw out the government's speech and make his own. But he still has important influence, not least through his weekly meetings with the prime minister.

No: Charles made it clear how little he liked provisions in the speech, like the new drilling licences. But the constitution has turned him into nothing more than a puppet of the government.

Or... Charles is not likely to rock the boat now, as his reign begins. But as he settles into his role as king, he might start to push for more of his pet projects, like environmentalism and traditional architecture.