Queen Elizabeth to Retire, Bypass Charles and Pass Crown to William and Kate Middleton?
Rumors have emerged Britain's Queen Elizabeth is set to retire and intends to pass the crown over to Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth, who just celebrated her 63rd year on the throne, making her the longest reigning monarch in the UK, is reportedly retiring and giving up the throne in favor of her grandson, Prince William, bypassing her eldest son and heir apparent, Prince Charles.
The news came from reports the Queen had made it known she was planning to step down and skip over her son, Prince Charles, turning over the crown to the second in line to the throne, his son, Prince William.
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While according to the order of succession to the British throne, Prince Charles may come to the throne if his mother, Queen Elizabeth abdicates, retires, or passes away, the Queen cannot automatically pass the crown over to her grandson, Prince William, unless she compels Prince Charles to abdicate in favor of his son.
Based on emerging rumors, that is exactly what Queen Elizabeth is planning to do.
The 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth, who made history yesterday for becoming the longest-reigning UK monarch, intends to make history again by turning over the crown to her grandson and his wife, Kate Middleton, both 33.
While Prince Charles, 66, reportedly found the Queen's decision difficult to accept, a Buckingham Palace insider says he has gradually bent to her will and way of thinking, OK Magazine writes.
The Queen's rationale over bypassing Charles has to do with the practical decision of turning over the reins to William and Kate, not only to keep the royal family "relevant and vital" by skipping over to a younger generation for the monarchy, but also because the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are more loved by the people than the taciturn Charles ever has been.
According to Queen Elizabeth, her subjects prefer Prince William and Kate Middleton on the throne over Prince Charles any day.
Whispers over Charles being passed over have been circulating Buckingham Palace in the last few years, but no one ever expected it to happen.
An official announcement will reportedly take place within the year, with William's coronation at Westminster Abbey scheduled shortly after the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday in April next year.
