Heir we go
CHARLES AT GAMES AMID HEALTH FEARS FOR QUEEN
PRINCE Charles stepped in to take over the Queen’s duties yesterday amid claims she is suffering from a foot problem.
Charles cut the heather to open an archway at the Braemar Games in tribute to her platinum jubilee.
He was joined by wife Camilla, 75, sister Princess Anne, 72, and her husband Timothy Laurence, 67.
Royal expert Ingrid Seward said Charles, 73, had done The Queen proud. She said: “I think this shows that at long last the Queen feels able to pass things over to Charles, which maybe she should have done years ago.
“I think all old people are reluctant to let go and I think perhaps she saw it as a sign of weakness.
“But, of course, it’s not at all and we all completely understand and really like to see Charles standing in for her.
“Charles has obviously been ready for a long time, but I think it’s a sign of the Queen’s faith in him that she knows he will handle these things with his usual aplomb.”
There had been speculation about the Queen’s health after it was announced Charles would take her place at the event, which she has missed only four times in 70 years, after first going as a child.
Ingrid, editor of Majesty Magazine, said: “What I hear is that the Queen isn’t ill, it’s just her feet that are giving her the problem. Some days she can move and some days she struggles, but she’s doing pretty well.
“This was decided because there’s too much walking involved at the Games and she would have to get up steps to get to her seat.”
It is the latest event the Queen has been forced to pull out of. And Ingrid expects Charles to stand in for her more often.
She said: “Charles has been hugely supportive of late. He has his own very busy life, but now he has a lot of her very busy life as well. “It’s really nice to see Charles as a number one man. If he’s there, that’s perfect for her. And I think this will be a continuing trend. “I don’t think he will become Prince Regent, because if he does it will mean her mind isn’t right and her mind is absolutely super sharp. I think this is a sign of nice and gentle support rather than anything formal, which I think people rather like.”
The Queen was last seen in public on July 21 on arrival at Aberdeen airport to begin her annual holiday in Scotland.
While at Balmoral she is said to have received family visitors, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and the Duke of York.