Here are some lovely photos of Queen Elizabeth on her birthday, yesterday, doing a little car ride through Windsor. She wore a bright citrus green on her 90th birthday! And she’s obviously dripping in diamonds, as one should always be dripping in diamonds. I have to say… the Queen looked pretty chipper! Usually she looks like Grumpy Cat in a Hat. But she might have had a few early-afternoon birthday belts of Scotch.
Anyway, The Daily Beast’s royal reporter, Tom Sykes, has been doing a series of stories and interviews with Christopher Andersen, author of Game of Crowns: Elizabeth, Camilla, Kate, and the Throne,. Sykes interview with Andersen about how Camilla really did manipulate William and Kate’s 2007 breakup actually might have made me a believer in the story, especially the idea that Camilla doesn’t care for Carole Middleton at all – go here to read. Well, Sykes has another story about the Queen and whether she would ever abdicate. And while there’s something slightly morbid about it, I kind of think Sykes and Anderson’s theory might have legs. Some highlights:
The age factor: Were the Queen to live as long as the queen mother, Charles would become king at 78, and Camilla would be 79. If Charles, in turn, lived to be as old as Prince Philip, William and Kate would both be well past 60 by the time William assumed the throne. It’s not a particularly exciting prospect, and Andersen believes that, despite what he called in a telephone conversation with the Royalist, “the constant drumbeat over the years that the queen will never retire, that she will never step aside,” she may well be planning to do just that.
Turning over responsibilities to Charles: Sykes quotes Anderson as saying: “She’s never said that she would not abdicate publicly. And there are very serious reasons for her to consider it. Actually it’s already happening. Many responsibilities have been handed over to Charles. She’s let it be known to palace insiders that on the death of her husband, who’s turning 95 in June, her plan is to basically retreat to Balmoral on a full-time basis…It will give her the opportunity to act as a kind of dowager queen, to have the same role that her mother had, as someone who could ease the public into accepting Charles and Camilla.”
Robert Lacey, one of the Queen’s biographers, believes abdication is a real possibility: “The message of today’s birthday is that the Queen at 90 is working as hard as ever—and she certainly is working busily, with increasing support from the younger members of the family. But Philip has always provided her with very extra and special support, and were he to pre-decease her, by no means a given in the context of his daily exercise schedule and general fitness, then work and the world would look very different to her. She has not actually sworn to go on reigning for ever, but to do her duty. So on her own, she might interpret that duty in terms of handing the baton on to Charles, either in the form of abdication or a regency—though both words have unfortunate connotations in British royal history.”
There are also many, many whispers of a Prince Charles regency, which I believe would be somewhat complicated – it would mean that the Queen would still be alive, but infirm and she would not have technically abdicated, but Charles would be running the show. If the Queen plans ahead, I could maybe see that happening, especially since she’s already started to hand over so much to Charles anyway. As for what would happen if the Duke of Edinburgh passes away before the Queen… I honestly believe the Queen would decline quickly. She just wouldn’t want to go on without Philip.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
A five year plan at age 90. Now this is a confidant woman.
I love this comment. So very true!
🙂
Why would she abdicate from what must surely be one of the happiest jobs in the world- all wearing nice clothes and cutting ribbons and greeted by smiling peasants! Its not like actual work!
And have everyone smiling and thrilled to see you.
No one talks abut her ego, either. Perhaps her ego is involved as well for staying the course. She’s no saint.
Woah – saying her job is happy and easy? That shows a big misunderstanding for what she does, and it’s rude to assume she doesn’t work hard.
How many people are still working at all after 70 or 75?
She stepped into her position at a young age and has ruled a country through war time, terrorism, decolonisation etc.
For the Queen, this is not a job. This is her duty. She is a strong believer in the Divine Right and will rule until she dies. She believes God has willed her to be the Queen – it’s not chance or luck.
She has been shot at, has seen her kids and grandkids go to fight in wars, lived through embarrassing family scandals, has been a patron to hundreds of charities, has met with world leaders from all over well into her 80s. Amazing!
I whole-heartedly agree Lex!!
Bravo Lex!
Lots of women her age have been through a damn sight more Lex and with far less help and far fewer resources to help them cope. Not many over 70s get to their “work” in a door to door chauffeur driven limo. It’s not like she’s standing in the pouring rain at the bus stop (that might help her get In touch with her “subjects”). And frankly, in 2016, thinking that God played a part in her being queen ought to get her sectioned rather than admired.
Well, her mum lived to over a 100. That does make you consider the possibility you might make it that far yourself.
For example, my grandmother and all her sisters lived past 100. I’m pretty sure all the women in our family descended from them are keeping in mind we might need a game plan for being centenarians.
I honestly feel like without the Queen, either when she passes away or goes into this ‘dowager’ retirement, the monarchy is going to have some real issues. People adore the Queen because she has reigned for so long, and I just think Charles will really struggle to break away from that legacy.
Personally, I think once the Queen is gone the BRF should be drawn to a close. There won’t be another monarch as great as Elizabeth II for a long while; why not end it on a good note?
How old is Charles right now?
He will be 68 in November.
Never. I can’t imagine someone who would work hard to NINETY would use that as the bench mark to stop. She sees this as a lifelong duty, one she will fufill. If she (not philip) becomes ill a regency is possible, but no abdication while she is in good health. She’s probably insulted greatly by all these rumors – What else does a 90 year old woman need to do to show the people she’s in it for the long haul?
In my person anecdotal experience, when someone of advanced age is no longer able to do the tasks they could (by choice, family, or illness), they deteriorate quickly. The Queen Mother was very involved with royal activities, she counseled the Queen – she had a challenge to live for.
Karen, you said pretty much what I was going to. I seriously doubt that the Queen would consider abdicating now, because she sees this as her duty and one that she has to keep until the end of her days. It is kind of insulting to keep talking about her just giving up the throne, like she’s an old towel that’s been worn out and needs to be replaced.
Agree with you Karen. And I don’t think she’s the type to think: hmmmm, I’ll stop at 95 when I could make history going five more years to 100. She’s fiesty and so far, still shows how it should be done. Why plan to stop unless more is going on that we don’t know about.
Totally agree.
I don’t think she’ll stop as long as she is in good health. But, I can see her, out of a sense of duty, having a plan in place should she start to decline mentally. Much like the rest of us would have a power of attorney for healthcare or an advanced directive, I can see the Queen having such a plan in place with Charles.
^^^
I agree with absolutely everything in this thread.
I remember watching a documentary about the Queen’s life a while ago (not the ITV one just gone by) and the general consensus seemed to be that she will never *ever* abdicate.
After the mess with Wallace Simpson and her uncle (also known in my head as The Dolittles Mark I) the concept of abdicating was never an option.
Her parents were incredibly hard workers, it makes sense for her to follow in their footsteps.
I reckon one of the reasons QEII is so popular is that she really does see her position as her duty as opposed to a privilege.
I’m sure that everything is already planned out. I’ve heard that her funeral is already planned just in case, so I can’t imagine she’s left anything else to be sorted out.
I agree, abdication is totally unacceptable, especially a woman who personally witnessed the one and only example in British history and watched her father suffer as a result.
We already have the constitutional apparatus of a Regency in place that covers both monarchs that aren’t of age AND Monarchs that are unable to carry out their duties, yet still living. Therefore Charles’s easing of her burden and being Prince Regent isn’t new or unusual.
The previous Prince Regent acted when his father, George 3’s bout of madness forced him to withdrew from his role.
It’s not inconceivable that she should retire, but all of this is wishful thinking since she swore at her 21st birthday to reign until her last breath, sincerely believes in the oath she swore at her coronation AND it’s not the way of the British Monarchy to abdicate due to physical infirmity.
George 3 and Henry 6 were completely unwell for months at a time,in the case of Henry, he was in a coma for months. And still abdication wasn’t forced upon them nor would anyone presume that it was possible.
Several kings have been too young to rule straightaway, necessitating a Regency/Lord
The Queen’s own father was ill for many years due to lung cancer, necessitating her to take on some of his duties, and no one thought to let him retire to get well or retire from his duties.
That’s how the British Monarchy operates. We do not abdicate (though never say never). European Monarchies, on the otherhand, have a long history of abdicating. It’s tradition for them!
Our posts crossed! What you said.
A slight addendum LAK:
Whilst there are traditions for abdication in Holland and Belgium, most monarchs remain so until they die. The recent Spanish abdication was an emergency measure to save the very institution of the monarchy in a country where it is extremely vulnerable since it has only been restored for a few decades.
However, the Dutch monarchy has established a positive tradition of abdication, complete with ceremony and festivities. I like that they have turned the accession of a new monarch to a joyous occasion that can be celebrated without the shadow of death.
I seriously doubt that Elizabeth II will abdicate. It also annoys me when Aussie tabloids float the stories about Queen Margrethe II abdicating. She’s never going to do that – and that is on the record. There has never been a voluntary abdication in the history of the Danish monarchy – one kign was removed by forced and died in captivity. That’s it. I don’t recall any voluntary abdications in either Sweden or Norway.
To sum up: There’s only two European monarchies with a tradition of abdication. The rest are old-school.
Thanks for the correction arthistorian.😊
Ps:what is your professional opinion of the recent group photo of Queen + her g/ grand-children?
Three: in Luxembourg, abdiction has become a tradition as well.
I noticed that it caused a lot of dissension. However, I actually like the somewhat painterly quality of the portrait photo. It evokes a long tradition of group portraiture in the history of art. I like when photography is being used artistically, i.e. as a means for more than a simply “naturalistic” rendering of the object/person(s) recorded.
Anne Leibovitz has a keen understanding of the history of art, which can been seen in much of her work during the last decade.
Karla,
Thanks for the info. Don’t know much about the Lux Grand Ducal Family. Do they have any constitutional role in Luxembourg?
Hasn’t Queen Margrethe said she’ll stay on the throne until she falls off? Joachim reinforced this idea in an interview a few months ago, that everyone in the family is of the belief that she’s staying until death. Physical infirmity may have to be dealt with, but that it wouldn’t cause her to abdicate.
NOTA,
She said in an interview that she’d stay on her perch until she falls down dead. End of discussion! There will be no abdication in the DK – it is only ever floated in Aussie tabloids.
“stay on her perch until she falls down dead”
I like Margrethe SO much! She is one of those royals that you want to have lunch with.
Me too. My imaginary tea party would also include Queen Maxima and Prince Michael of Kent.
Honestly, I don’t see it happening either. Many many royal “experts” have said for years that she would never consider it. And if you look at 6 decades as monarch, you see very clearly how she approaches her life, her duty, etc. This is not a woman who will spend her time knitting. And frankly, I don’t see how that is how she wants to go out, how she wants to be remembered. The Queen who ended her life knitting in the countryside. I would be extremely surprised. Plus, it is not “already happening”, what are they talking about???
In Luxembourg we hava a constitutional monarchy. The Grand-Duke is the Head of State, but only has the powers the Constitution expressly gives him. The Grand Duke is a symbol of the nations’ unity and Independence. He mainly has representative functions andshould not express any political opinion. He used to sign every law passed in order for it to be promulgated and enter into force. But this was changed after he refused to sign the bill on euthanasia because of his profound catholic beliefs. The Grand Ducal family is very active/engaged/visible in Luxembourg and thus highly respected.
So – a way out for William. He removes himself from the line of succession. If George is too little when Charles dies, Harry becomes Prince Regent. Wills and Kate go hang out being all middle-class with the aptly names Middletons.
Charles is 67.
No, she won’t. Although I suppose if she gets infirm enough to be unable to open Parliament and the other necessary constitutional flummery, they’ll have to do some kind of fudge of a regency for Chuck. The perils for the monarchy in an ageing society!
At least the birthday is pretty much over and I can stop spitting tacks. The Daily Mash cheered me up saying “royalists are now just weird people” http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/royalists-now-just-weird-people-20160421108175. That site’s been saving my sanity lately. Sorry, royalists!
Omg that just may be the funniest thing I’ve read in weeks!! Thank you for making my Friday, Sixer!!
“Prince George is so adorable, just like my vast collection of Muppet Babies I talk to about my internet dating problems.”
I think I peed my pants a little bit. That site is naughty but hilarious!
Comedy gold. Lol Thanks. BTW- Please never stop your funny takes and grumping about the BRF. It really is a highlight of these threads.
They did say, during BBC coverage of the birthday walkabout, that they’re re-routing certain things so she has to take fewer steps, a lift might be involved, etc. She seems to be planning on doing whatever she can as long as she can.
“Grumpy Cat in a Hat” Nailed it!
Long live Her Majesty!!
Not really apples to apples, but this decade did see a pope retire. I’d miss Queen Elizabeth — not one of her heirs could stand in her shadow. JMO.
Exactly! A lot of people were shocked when a pope stepped down, convinced the crisis of having two living pontiff’s walking the earth at the same time would put the entire catholic religion at risk. Guess what? It all turned out fine – everyone just took a deep breath and moved on. It probably helped that the last guy hadn’t been pope for very long and wasn’t really that beloved so no one misses him too much. It also helps his replacement was a vast improvement (in my opinion) – that may not be true for the Windsors.
My grandparents are 95 & 96, they are still married and STILL live alone together. It wasn’t until my grandmother go sick last fall that her health really started to decline. I can totally see the queen sticking it out a few more years as long as Philip is healthy, and if he’s like my grandfather, he’ll want to go to 100.
I hope he makes it. Your grandpa i mean. And your grandma
Old people are adorable. I hate the thought of them dying.
I hope so too, but they had an amazing life and they are very happy. I am so thankful to have had them this long and their 74 wedding anniversary is in August!
She won’t ever abdicate and she will continue to outwork the rest of the family until her health stops her. She will turn over more duties to family members, but she will never abdicate.
Agree 100%. She’s turning more ceremonial duties and patron ages over but the core of her job, the daily ‘red boxes’, will be her duty until she dies. There will not be an abdication just a rather slow and steady handing over.
+1000, She won’t abdicate. While some other monarchies see abdication as a kind of retirement, it has a completely different meaning for TQ. Also, she is her mother’s daughter and, although she may give other family members increased responsibilities, she will continue until she dies (hopefully in some great outfits like her latest bright color/diamond combos).
It is sad to think of Elizabeth without Philip; they have been together for more than 75 years (married for almost 70). They seem to still really love each other and it is great to see pictures of them laughing together.
I didn’t realize Philip was going to be 95!!!!!!! That makes William’s statement about getting “bogged down” by duty even more disgraceful.
This makes me very uncomfortable. My dad is 94 and until recently has been going gangbusters. A bout of congestive heart failure has hit him hard.
So, no. Miss Queen needs to go on, my friends. She’s far too young at 90.
My nan was still playing tennis weekly into her 90s.
I think she will hang on for as long as she can. I’m sure working has helped her longevity. I hope she makes it to 100.
After spending years reading the comments about the BRF on this site, I am starting to wonder if the rest of the world is more invested in the continuity of the monarchy than the British public. This is 2016. Maybe the monarchy should exist until 2066 with a start and an end being a William over the course of 1000 years. As a US citizen, I admit to being strangely fond of the BRF with all their strengths and weaknesses, feats and foibles. Come November, I will have lived through 11 US Presidential administrations but there has only been one Queen. I will weep the day that she dies and will pray for Charles.
No, she would not. She grew up in the shadow of an abdication, and she’s been queen almost all her life. I’m sure she has some plan in place for passing down duties if her physical and mental abilities change, but I can’t imagine her wanting anything but the most traditional kind of succession.
Simple answer to this, the Queen will never abdicate she vowed to spend her whole life in the job ‘ be it long or be it short’. if she gets seriously ill and is unable to continue her schedule Charles would take on the responsibility but he won’t get the job title until the day she dies. I give her another 13years.
I just saw the play King Charles III and the plot is totally believable (also makes me love Kate). Long story short; Charles becomes king, he decides to be an active royal and meddles in politics, constitutional crisis, get overthrown by Kate (and Will).
She won’t abdicate but she may retire from “active duty” or take much more of a back seat, particularly when something happens to Philip.