Queen may give Charles a go at last

THE Queen is reportedly planning to abdicate and make Charles king in all but name in a plan for her retirement, it has been claimed.

The Queen, 91, is said to have told her inner circle that if she is still on the throne at the age of 95 she will ask for a piece of legislation to grant her eldest son full power to reign while she is alive.

Royal commentator Robert Jobson told the Mail On Sunday he had spoken to highranking courtiers who said preparations for the transition were gaining pace.

He said Palace communications staff had been ordered to be “up to speed” on the 1937 Regency Act — the Bill that grants power to the heir apparent.

Mr Jobson said one senior former member of the royal household told him: “Out of the profound respect the Queen holds for the institution of monarchy and its stewardship, Her Majesty would want to make sure that she has done everything she can for her country and her people before she hands over.

“Her Majesty is mindful of her age and wants to make sure when the time comes the transition of the Crown is seamless. I understand the Queen has given the matter considerable thought and believes that, if she is still alive at 95, she will seriously consider passing the reign to Charles.”

Clarence House, the official residence of the Prince of Wales, has made no comment about so-called Plan Regency.

And it’s a decision that wouldn’t be taken lightly — a Regent can only be implemented once a decision is reached by three of the following: the Sovereign’s consort, the Duke of Edinburgh; the Lord Chancellor, David Lidington; the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow; the Lord Chief Justice, the incoming Sir Ian Burnett, and Master of the Rolls Sir Terence Etherton.

Prince Charles has gradually been filling in for his mother and represented the head of state on foreign trips during her Diamond Jubilee year to Australia and New Zealand.