Queen ‘will never abdicate’ but Charles and Anne likely to take on more duties
The Queen will never abdicate her throne but is likely to step back slightly and let Prince Charles take on more responsibility after the death of Prince Philip, according to royal experts.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who died yesterday aged 99, was the longest serving consort in royal history and was by the Queen’s side for 73 years of marriage.
While his death has come as a huge blow to the monarch, she’s likely to be as determined as ever to carry on in a job she sees as ‘for life,’ royal watchers have said.
Other European monarchs have decided to step aside in old age, including King Juan Carlos of Spain who abdicated in 2014, King Albert of Belgium who quit in 2013 and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands who stepped down the same year.
But Elizabeth II sees the vows she took on her coronation day as unbreakable, particularly because she was only made Queen herself due to the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII.
Royal historian Hugo Vickers told the Mirror: ‘I can assure you the queen will not abdicate. There is every indication the queen is in extremely good health and with luck she will continue to be our queen for as long as possible.’
Senior royals have been rallying around since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death, with all of the Queen’s children visiting her in Windsor.
Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, told reporters the monarch ‘has been amazing’ as she left the castle with husband Edward on Saturday.
It’s believed that the Queen’s only daughter Anne will now step up to support her mother and may appear at her side at more public engagements in the future.
Charles – who rushed to Windsor from his home in Highgrove yesterday – is set to be given more responsibility within the family.
It’s thought he’s already taken a leading role in planning his father’s funeral, which has had to be revised due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Anne, the princess royal, is close to her mother and their bond has grown ever deeper after the death of the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret in 2002.
Speaking during a tour of South Africa in 2012 Anne said: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.’
Other royals are also expected to step up to support the monarch after Philip’s death.
The Countess of Wessex is close to the Queen and will be a source of friendship for the monarch, especially over the coming months.
Their bond has been shown over the years, and the monarch often asks Sophie to share her car when she is being driven on non-official occasions.
Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, and Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have also been offering their support to their grandmother – keeping in touch through telephone and video calls.
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