Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Alzheimer’s kills mum, 43 as kids care
Charles’s role is growing
A MUM has died of Alzheimer’s at the age of 43, cared for over six years by her three children, two of them still teenagers.
Mandy Wilkins had herself cared for her own mother, who was killed by the disease at 46.
Her friends paid tribute to the “absolutely amazing job” done by Aaron, 21, and twins Ellis and Georgia, 18.
Heavily pregnant Georgia was induced two weeks early so Mandy of Cleethorpes, Lincs, could see her grandson Theo.
Aaron said: “We pulled together, did it for Mum. It became a 24-hour job.”
He was at her side when she died in a care home.
Mandy’s friends Dawn Sullivan and Anna Sheppard supported the children. Anna said: “It was heartbreaking to watch. THIS decision will not have been taken lightly by the Queen, who views her role leading the nation in honouring our war dead very seriously.
It may be only a minor adjustment to logistics – and the important thing is she will still be nearby, watching – but it is significant that Prince Charles will be representing her in such a symbolic act.
This is the latest in a series of smallscale adjustments to her official duties that serve as a reminder that the ageing process only goes in one direction – even for a Queen.
Prince Philip has retired at the age of 96 and the Queen wants to stand by his side.
She will never abdicate, but will inevitably, over time, do less.