The longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth, is rumored to be retiring after serving the crown since 1952. However, her heir Prince Charles might not become the King of England as the monarchy is being threatened by abolishment.
According to Daily Express, scholars from the University College London (UCL) said that the transition of power from mother to son might not be so easy and straightforward. Apparently the 16 Commonwealth realms will have to "recognize the accession in their own way" and some countries could consider turning republic instead of sticking with the Commonwealth.
The scholars said Australia thought about going republic in a referendum in 1999, where the yes votes were marginally defeated by 10 percent in favor of remaining in the Commonwealth. However, a wave of change has been happening since then with former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who stated in 2016 that the question to turn republic will once again be brought up after the Queen's death.
Only when the Queen is gone can the new monarch take over the throne. Queen Elizabeth, however, may decide to retire from public duty and let Prince Charles take over as the head of the royal family in the next 18 months.
However, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams insisted that Prince Charles cannot be the King of England unless Queen Elizabeth abdicates and not merely retire from royal duties. Fitzwilliams firmly believes that Queen Elizabeth will not do this as she intends to serve as the monarch until her last breath.
The one other time for Prince Charles can become the ruler of the Commonwealth is if the Queen becomes incapacitated. However, he will still be known as the Regent and not the King of England.
Meanwhile, reports from The Sun also cited that Prince Charles plans to cut a handful of royal family members from taking up royal duties and using taxpayer's money. Apparently, if he becomes King of England, Prince Charles might only retain his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, as well as their children, as the core members of the working royals.
The trimming down and downsizing of the royal family has apparently started with Prince Andrew officially announcing that he's stepping down from his roles as the patron of hundreds of organizations that the royal family is in partnership with. Royal experts said that they don't see Prince Andrew getting reinstated anytime soon. With his mother rumored to be retiring, Prince Andrew might never be welcomed back to The Firm for good.
