In recent years, there have been rumors as to whether Queen Elizabeth may abdicate her position as monarch.
Since royal biographer Andrew Morton stated that Her Majesty’s reign is “essentially gone” due to the coronavirus outbreak, this notion has further intensified.
Thursday, Elizabeth passed away at the age of 96. The British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, confirmed Prince Charles will succeed to the throne, making him the oldest monarch in British history.
Morton, speaking to The Telegraph, stated: “I cannot imagine how the Queen can return to her position. The COVID-19 virus will be with us for at least several months, if not years.
He noted that it would be “very hazardous” for the Queen to begin interacting with individuals regularly.
When asked about speculations that Her Majesty intended to withdraw from public life, a Buckingham Palace official recently told Insider, “The Queen continues to be busy and will follow suitable advice on engagements.”
It is true that the monarch has continued to serve the nation, doing behind-the-scenes royal tasks and even recently participating in her first public engagement via video call.
Despite this, it is undeniable that, at age 94, Her Majesty is one of the most vulnerable family members. It will likely be quite some time before she returns to traditional employment.
Prince Charles, the heir apparent, has remained in the public eye despite catching the coronavirus earlier this year and recuperating from it.
Along with the Duchess of Cornwall, he was also one of the first members of the royal family to conduct a public engagement since the lockdown began.
During a visit to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Tuesday, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, performed Namaste with Professor Mark Pietroni.
Insider spoke with royal specialists who described what would occur if Her Majesty abdicated in favor of the Prince of Wales.
Prince Charles would be accorded the title of ‘Prince Regent’ rather than ‘King’.
The Mail on Sunday reported in 2017 that the Queen was considering transferring power to Prince Charles when she turns 95. That is only one year away.
According to the journal, the monarch told “her inner circle” that if she is still on the throne at the age of 95, she will request the implementation of the Regency Act, which would give her eldest son the authority to rule while she is still alive.
Robert Jobson, a 30-year award-winning royal correspondent, considers this a significant probability.
In 1969, Queen Elizabeth placed a crown on the head of Prince Charles at his investiture.
Jobson, author of “The Royal Family Operations Manual,” told Insider: “If enacted, Charles would be appointed Prince Regent, king in everything but name.”
“So long as the Queen is physically and psychologically healthy, she will continue to reign, supported by her son, Charles, and William, his heir, along with the rest of the royal family.
“However, if she is unable to undertake her public obligations for whatever reason, such as a pandemic or illness, she may reconsider her position,” Jobson continued.
She has always stated that she must be seen to be believed.
Jobson stated that Her Majesty is “aware of her age” and would prefer a “seamless transition of the Crown.”
Jobson continued, “I understand the Queen has given the topic some attention and if she is still living at age 95, she will seriously contemplate giving the throne to Prince Charles.”
However, the procedure is more involved than you might expect.
According to royal analyst Joe Little, for the Regency Act to be invoked, the monarch must be deemed incapable of making independent judgments.
“The Queen cannot ‘trigger’ the Regency Act herself; in the event of her incapacity, at least three senior officials — legal, parliamentary, and the Duke of Edinburgh — would have to make that declaration,” Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, told Insider.
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 99th birthday at Windsor Castle.
Press Organization
“The Prince of Wales will certainly assume more of his mother’s formal duties, but his current status will not alter until she becomes incapacitated,” he stated.
Despite this, Jobson feels “the Regency Act provides sufficient leeway” for the Queen to retire in the conventional sense.
The alternative would be for the Queen to formally abdicate, making Charles the next monarch. King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicated in 2014 in favor of his son Felipe, while Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated in 2013 in favor of her son Willem-Alexander, according to the BBC.
Although it is possible, Little does not believe that Queen Elizabeth would choose this alternative.
In a speech she delivered on her 21st birthday, the Queen stated that she intended to reign for the remainder of her life.
“I declare before you all that my entire life, whether long or short, will be dedicated to your service and the service of our great imperial family, to which we all belong,” the Queen stated, according Town and Country.
“The Queen has, of course, sworn to serve her country till the end of her days, but it has long been rumored that Prince Charles could become regent sooner than anticipated,” Jobson explained.
“Charles’ entire life of public service has prepared him for the throne,” he continued.
“I am confident that the Queen will desire a seamless and natural succession”