In the wake of the Prince Andrew saga, Prince Charles has shown he can run the firm. This has been the first time the Prince has stepped up as prince regent, the ‘Shadow King’ and made a crucial decision on behalf of the royal family.
Earlier this year, the Prince took the place of his father Prince Philip next to Queen Elizabeth II during the State Opening of Parliament and was selected to replace the monarch for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2019.
Her Majesty will turn 95 in 18 months – the same age at which her husband Philip withdrew from his public duties – and there is talk among courtiers that she may use the milestone to effectively hand over day-to-day control of the monarchy to Prince Charles.
The Queen has been gradually reducing the number of public engagements she attends from 332 in 2016 to a still impressive 283 in 2018. Charles, meanwhile, undertook 507.
Prince Andrew is off the guest list
On December 3, the monarch will host a reception for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) leaders and their partners at Buckingham Palace, including US President Donald Trump. This will be the first official event hosted by the royal family that Prince Andrew is not invited to.
“The Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra will welcome the guests in the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace,” a statement said.
A Cheeky Moment on the Royal Tour
The Royal Tour of New Zealand came to an end for Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, but not without a final cheeky moment in Kaikōura. Click here for the photos.