Royal insiders have claimed in the past, that Queen Elizabeth II will not abdicate her throne to her son, Prince Charles. However, the presence of Charles and his wife, Camilla, at the opening of the Parliament suggested otherwise.
Prince Charles is the first in line to the throne, as he is the eldest son of the current monarch. He is expected to, one day, take over his mother's post. In the recent public appearance of Queen Elizabeth II, many observed that it seems like 70-year-old Charles is preparing to take over soon.
The 93-year-old Queen delivered a speech at Westminster Abbey to mark the opening of the Parliament this week. Charles and Camilla accompanied the Queen to the event. Her Majesty took the golden throne, while Charles seated to her left. His father, Prince Philip, previously occupied the seat.
This is the second time Charles accompanied his mother to the opening of the Parliament as her consort, since Prince Philip's retirement from royal duties in 2017 while it was the first time for Camilla. Observers noted that Camilla has been seated by Charles' side in several state openings as his wife but never seen sitting on her own before.
According to Express.uk, the only other royal to have done this was Princess Anne. The princess used to see next to the Queen and Prince Philip, on the other side from Charles before he was married.
Many were also surprised when the Duchess of Cornwall sat next to the Queen in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. The horse-drawn carriage took Her Majesty, Prince Charles, and Camilla from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament.
Also, the Queen decided not to wear the traditional Imperial State Crown to the event and chose the much lighter George IV Diadem. The Imperial State Crown weighs close to 1.3 kilograms. It was instead carried on a red and gold cushion for the event. This is the second time the Queen did not wear the Imperial Crown.
Royal observers noted that these are hints of future chance in the British monarch. Prince Charles and Camilla's presence is a subtle way of getting the British public accustomed to seeing them at major royal events.
Since childhood, Charles has been groomed to be the King whether or not he will take the throne or Queen Elizabeth II will outlive him. Her Majesty is the longest-serving monarch in British history. She has been ruling for 67 years. Despite her age, she still attends her royal duties diligently, and there is no show of slowing down.
Her subjects may see her rule for more years, but the family could be already preparing in case the Queen will one day decide to step down and join her husband in retirement. The Duke of Edinburgh retired from his royal duties in 2017, at the age of 96.
