Queen Elizabeth.Photo: Frank Augstein - WPA Pool/Getty
In a historic first,Queen Elizabethmay stay atBalmoral Castlein Scotland rather than head to London for a major constitutional duty.
She is set to appoint a new Prime Minister once elections are held in early September. Usually, the ceremony is held at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle – something she was expecting to do when hersummer holidaybegun in late July.
But the 96-year-old monarch has been suffering from mobility issues that have curtailed her ability to carry out many of her official engagements since late last year, and contingency plans are reportedly being made for alternative arrangements.
The new Prime Minister – the Queen’s 15th of her 70-year reign – will be chosen in an election of Conservative Party members early next month. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are the contenders.
Queen Elizabeth.Andrew Milligan/Pool/Getty
Buckingham Palace had no comment on Friday, but it is understood that a final decision will be made next week. Speaking toThe Sun, a source said, “The Queen has now been advised not to travel. But obviously no one tells the Queen what to do and ultimately it is her decision, and as we saw when she made a third appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the Jubilee, she likes surprised.”
It is one of her key duties, and one she wouldn’t delegate to her son and heirPrince Charles. Charles, 73, has been undertaking an increasing number of roles on her behalf in recent months.
Although she met her first Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, when she stepped off the plane that brought her back from Kenya to Britain in 1952, all the others have gone to see her at the palace.
Balmoral Castle.Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty
The Queen has not been seen since she headed to Scotland in July. She initially stayed in a smaller residence on the 50,000 acre Balmoral estate, beforemoving into the Castleon August 8. While other members of the family, likePrince Charles,Prince EdwardandSophie, Countess of Wessexhave been spotted going to the local Crathie Kirk for church services, the Queen has not been visible outside the castle gates.
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Traditionally, the royal family heads to Balmoral Castle to spend some time with the monarch alongside other members of the extended family during the time between July and October that she is in residence.
Prince WilliamandKate Middletonand their three childrenPrince George, 9,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4,have been staying with the Queenin recent days, while Prince Charles and his wifeCamilla, Duchess of Cornwallare not far away in their Scottish retreat Birkhall.
source: people.com
