Queen Elizabeth II Rules Out Early Handover to Prince Charles or Prince William

Queen Elizabeth II has appeared to rule out stepping back from public duties in a major statement about the future of the monarchy.

Elizabeth used the start of her Platinum Jubilee year to simultaneously shut down several questions that have dominated the debate about what happens when her reign eventually ends.

The one that hogged newspaper front pages and discussion shows was her desire for Camilla to be named Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes King.

However, there were two other significant aspects to the 95-year-old monarch's message on Saturday.

The Queen confirmed, definitively, that Charles will be the next king, ruling out a move to skip her eldest son and go straight to the more popular Prince William.

The Prince of Wales' approval rating is significantly below that of his eldest son and regular polling suggests Brits would rather William was the next king.

A survey for Newsweek in May 2021 showed 58 percent of British people wanted Prince William to take over from the Queen, while 23 percent opted for Prince Charles.

The idea has long met with a frosty reception at the palace and would have required an Act of Parliament to alter the line of succession.

However, the queen's on the record statement, which used the crucial word "when," put the issue to bed definitively.

She said: "And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service."

Elizabeth also appeared to rule out an early handover of power to Prince Charles following a health scare in the autumn, when she had to pull out of several high-profile visits, including the COP26 climate change conference.

Any move to pass the crown to Charles within the Queen's lifetime would likely require use of The Regency Act, which would make him Prince Regent, rather than king.

It has long been suggested the Queen might choose to step back to allow her son to take on the job he was born to do as, at age 73, he heads further past normal retirement age.

Robert Jobson, author of Charles at Seventy, told True Royalty TV in November 2020: "I still firmly believe when the Queen becomes 95, that she will step down."

However, far from stepping down, Elizabeth reaffirmed a pledge she made aged 21 to dedicate her whole life to public service.

In her message on February 5, she said: "Tomorrow, 6th February, marks the 70th anniversary of my Accession in 1952. It is a day that, even after 70 years, I still remember as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign.

"As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service."

On her 21st birthday, during a visit to South Africa, the queen said: "There is a motto which has been borne by many of my ancestors—a noble motto, "I serve".

"Those words were an inspiration to many bygone heirs to the Throne when they made their knightly dedication as they came to manhood. I cannot do quite as they did.

"But through the inventions of science I can do what was not possible for any of them. I can make my solemn act of dedication with a whole Empire listening. I should like to make that dedication now. It is very simple.

"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.

"But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given."