Why Charles will not succeed Queen Elizabeth
The BBC has exclusively revealed that the Commonwealth countries will have a secret meeting, led by a group of seven 'high-level' individuals, to discuss future succession and specifically to discuss if the Queen should be succeeded by her son, Prince Charles.
According to the BBC, the group will meet at their London headquarters and will discuss the way the Commonwealth is governed. While the issue of succession is not listed in the group’s agenda, senior sources told the BBC that the succession would be discussed at the gathering.
The publication, who claims to have seen the agenda of the upcoming meeting, reveals that those asked to attend will tackle the matter of what happens if the Queen were to step down or pass away.
It's no secret that Her Majesty has been delegating her official duties to other members of the royal family in recent years, a move that has forced the Commonwealth to devise a plan in case she stands down from her position.
Many assume the Queen, who turns 92 in April, will be succeeded by Prince Charles, particularly because her oldest son has already begun taking over many of his mother’s royal responsibilities.
Back in January, The Times reported that Charles was minimising his charitable work in order to make room for his 'kingly duties'. The publication cited several sources from Kensington Palace who confirmed the prince was in fact adjusting his schedule.
However, Prince Charles' succession as head of the Commonwealth is not a sure thing as the succession is not a hereditary position.
For Prince Charles to succeed as ruler, he will still need the approval of the 52 member states of the Commonwealth other than Britain.
A source told the BBC that the group would discuss whether there should be a one-off decision to appoint Prince Charles or whether it should develop a new process to ensure a British monarch always heads the Commonwealth.
'There are various formulas being played with,' a source revealed. 'Should it always be the heir to the throne or Prince Charles himself? Is it the person or the position?'
Studies and polls into the royals’ likability have shown that the general population has a greater love of Prince William and Prince Harry, with many suggesting they would rather see the 'modern' royals take the throne.
The Sun reports that if the Commonwealth states block Charles from becoming leader, the position would likely be given to a dignitary from Africa, the Caribbean or Australasia.
