Queen Elizabeth II has prepared for the day when she can no longer carry out her duties as the head of the monarchy. However, when the time comes, she will never abdicate and will still remain on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II Will Never Abdicate Even If 'Very Unwell' To Carry Out Duties
The Queen has vowed to serve the throne all her life and she intends to keep that promise. Royal expert Dr. Ed Owens spoke with Express about the 95-year-old monarch's plan in case her health fails and she can no longer carry out her duties.
According to him, Her Majesty will never abdicate. The term "abdication" is considered a "bad word" within the royal family following the events in 1936. King Edward VIII voluntarily abdicated the throne to marry twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson.
The throne was passed to Queen Elizabeth II's father King George VI, who only reigned for 15 years before he passed away and the throne was given to the current monarch. Queen Elizabeth II was only 25 years old when she ascended the throne.
"If she was to become very unwell, it might be that Elizabeth II essentially ‘retires’ from all public roles, handing over power and leadership of the monarchy to her successor as part of what is termed a ‘regency,’" Dr. Owens said.
"There is more recent precedent for this going back to the late 18th Century when George III’s eldest son ruled as his proxy due to the monarch’s ill health."
Queen Elizabeth Will Never Abdicate Unless She Gets Alzheimer's Or Stroke
Queen Elizabeth said in her first public speech when she took over the throne that "my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service." During her coronation day, she made the same commitment.
"I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart, I shall strive to be worthy of your trust," the Queen said.
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Her Majesty allegedly told her cousin Margaret Rhodes that she would never abdicate the throne "unless I get Alzheimer's or have a stroke." The monarch who is turning 96 in three months also told the former archbishop of Canterbury, George Cary, "I'm going to carry on to the end."
However, due to her age and a recent health scare, some believed that she should slow down. Angela Levin, author of "Harry: A Biography of a Prince" encouraged the members of the royal family to step back.
"I think that it's a fight between her head and her body because she wants to do it, she feels she can. She is very articulate. She's absolutely spot on with everything she says, but her body is 95-year old," Levin said.
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