There’s been speculation that the Queen is ready to hand over her crown to Prince Charles, in the same way as the Dutch monarch Beatrix retired recently in favour of her son.
This is never going to happen while Her Maj has breath in her body.
Our Queen has the strongest possible sense of duty and, although she might be slowing down a little, there is no chance of an abdication.
The rumours started when it emerged the Queen wouldn’t be attending the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka later this year, with Prince Charles representing her instead.
Then we saw Charles and Camilla at the state Opening of Parliament, sitting on two mini thrones beside the monarch as she made her speech.
While this obviously sends out clear signals that they will both be taking more active roles in the future, it certainly doesn’t mean the Queen is set to take off her tiara and put her feet up.
Charles has been chomping at the bit for years and, now Camilla has been accepted by the majority of Brits, albeit grudgingly, he must feel it’s high time he stepped up to the mark.
Prince William and Kate have given the royals a massive boost in popularity and, when their baby is born, there will be even greater affection for this likeable couple.
Prince Harry is obviously the secret weapon to win over the Americans and is doing a sterling job across the water, charming the women of the USA.
Hopefully he’ll keep away from Las Vegas and keep his clothes on this time!
With the Queen taking things ever so slightly easier, it will be very interesting to see where Camilla fits into the set-up.
She’s not exactly comfortable in front of the cameras, carrying out ceremonial duties.
Camilla is clearly more at home in the countryside wearing muddy wellies and riding gear, but royal tours, pomp and circumstance are part of the package she agreed to when she married Charles.
I’m not sure she’ll ever be accepted as “Queen” when the time comes, and I don’t actually think she’d want the title in any case, but she has made her husband a far happier man and his sons, William and Harry, seem to get on well with her, too.
I reckon doctors have told the Queen, who’s 87, and 91-year-old Prince Philip to slow down a little, and they’re reluctantly obeying.
But I still believe she’ll be sending herself a telegram when she reaches 100, and won’t ever retire completely.
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