Do you think Charles becoming King is very imminent?

[crochetmonkey74]

The Mail are going mad on stories about exactly what will happen, and how it will happen. Now I know it's The Mail but we also know they do seed stuff out to the public

I’ve thought for a while that we are being prepared for the time when the Queen isn’t going to be around anymore.

I haven't read any of the recent reports, but did see the thing about Camilla becoming queen consort. I also read something about her Christmas speech and its focus on handing on the baton.

I don't think it's in bad taste to discuss death, including the death of an individual. People behave these days as though it's taboo in the same way as sex: even to the point where softer euphemisms are used to avoid uttering that word.

It's impossible to leave aside the point here that we don't have to have a hereditary head of state - if we had an elected one for a set number of terms the matter simply wouldn't arise - but it does seem to be the current incumbent herself who is driving that conversation. At nearly 96 she will know fine well her time is finite whatever the current state of her health.

She appears pragmatic: a woman trying to put her affairs in order as many people do when ill or old. There's nothing particularly unusual about this approach, perhaps it comforts her to talk of it. It's also, whatever our personal views on the monarchy may be, a matter of public interest. Whether it's rugswept or not it will happen, likely on the outside in the next few years. No one's immortal.

As for Charles he wouldn't refuse to be king, not only would it be disrespectful to his Mother it would also mean William couldn't be King

It’s amazing how many people are on here confidently stating absolute bull shit as fact.

Please can we a bit HUMAN here. The Queens death date isn't and shouldn't be the subject of speculation just because the Daily Fail has nowt else to report.

This woman is a human being. A mum, granny, great-gran, a widow. She has given her life in service.

Well whenever Harry produces his own book everything else will pale by comparing

Even the Queen has discussed what she wants to happen after her death.
She wants her DDIL to have her own Mothers crown and title. And asking that the people support Charles the way they have her when the time comes.
It could be taken that it is one of her last public speeches. It was also on the Eve of her Father's Anniversary, the throne is all about passing it on upon the current holders death.

I’m divided on this. On one hand I do believe there is often a psychological component and she will want to make it through the jubilee whilst the loss of Prince Philip would’ve had a toll on her.

However, she also has good genes which counts for a lot (and the best medical care). My great grandma lived until 109, and her daughter is still alive aged 103. So with the Queen mum living until 101, there is a decent chance her daughter could last for a few more years, especially as she seems to live a healthier lifestyle

Why is death such a taboo? She is 96, of course she does not have very long left. However, I do feel she is putting things in order for the future. I have a feeling it won't be long after the jubilee that Charles will become king. I do feel quite sad that we will likely never have such a long reigning monarch again.

I do feel quite sad that we will likely never have such a long reigning monarch again

Never say never but its certainly not sad, she only reigned for so long due to her DF dying so young.

What age was Queen Victoria when she took the throne she must have been very young too.

Victoria was 18 years old at accession in 1837 and was Queen for just under 64 years.

It's quite incredible that of the last 185 years two Queens have reigned for 135 of them. If my sums are right!

@dipdye

Probably.

Will they skip to William instead?

THIS. IS. NOT. HOW. IT. WORKS!!!!

Why would they skip to William? Yes, Charles is getting on a bit but if he retired at the same age as the Queen is he'd still have a good 20 years on the throne. I rather like Charles, actually.

Who is “they”

The constitution is 100% clear! Charles will be the next king

The Queen is 95? Surely it’s not come as a big surprise that despite being queen she’s not immortal and the odds aren’t exactly in her favour she’ll bf around much longer.

@Comedycook in my world nobody would ever dream of admitting the voted Labour.

And Elizabeth 1 clocked up 44 years which was really good going for the times. Not having children contributed to her long life I guess. 70 years old at death.

That's an interesting point, longwayoff hadn't considered not having children contributed to her long life, but of course in those days it would have tipped the odds in her favour

When was Elizabeth the 1st reign?

I'm happy for every day to be a school day

15 um something til 1603, I think

I think that the Monarchy will slip into increasing irrelevance once the Queen passes from living memory. People have lived their whole lives with her as monarch and there is an attachment to her.

I don’t think there is anywhere near the same attachment and affection for Charles.

William and Harry’s generation are more like celebrities than anything else.

I think by the time William becomes king and the older generation have died off, they’ll be becoming average Tabloid celeb fodder and nobody will care much.

I think this Queen will be our last Queen and George may be our last King, as least with the Monarchy as we know it.

That makes me sad and I'm not even British!
Getting rid of the monarchy seems to me like chopping a thousand year old tree down, I see the rational arguments but some forms of value can't be rationalised

While I don't want to see them gone, I doubt they will survive this century but that's very much depends on how society evolves and how they evolve to keep themselves relevant.

@1Week couldn’t disagree more. We’d still have the history - not getting rid of it, but we could finally move towards a system of democracy and leadership fit for the 21st century. The deference and sycophancy shown towards our third rate royals is the reason why Johnson is in power. We need to learn to expect better from our leaders and raise out standards across the board. That’s real “levelling up”.

Even countries without royals have terrible leaders bemoregoldfish, you get sycophants and deference no matter who your elites are.