“I have been hearing for years that Charles had no intention of living at Buckingham Palace, and that he wanted to open it more the public … The idea was that it would be used for official events, but not as a residence,” Little said. Her Majesty’s exit from Buckingham Palace, of course, leaves the door open for Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, to move in. “Unlike King George VI, who died quicker than expected and with not a lot of preparation, this is well mapped out and orchestrated.” “The transition has been planned behind the scenes for quite a few years,” said Little, adding that secret arrangements for the transition are in place. Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTAĬourtiers have been planning around the clock for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in July, while another team has also been working on Charles’ eventual accession. Charles is said to be involved in the ongoing efforts to refurbish Buckingham Palace, with one expert saying it will likely be his headquarters.
“People are a bit more focused on the transition since last autumn with the Queen’s … fluctuating health,” said Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine. Like a royal game of chess, other members of the family are already planning their future moves for when Charles becomes king. It all comes amid a scurry of planning for Charles’ ascension to the throne, The Post is told. Queen Elizabeth has spent most of her 70-year reign at Buckingham Palace, “living above the shop,” as royal watchers like to say.īut it was revealed this week by the Sunday Times that the 95-year-old monarch has moved out and has no plans to ever return.Īnd on Friday, it was confirmed that the queen will not attend Monday’s Commonwealth Service - something near and dear to her heart - over, reportedly, concerns about her mobility.Ī statement said she had asked her oldest son and heir, Prince Charles, to represent her at the service at Westminster Abbey, adding: “The Queen will continue with other planned engagements, including in-person audiences, in the week ahead.” Throne for a loop: Prince Harry’s new memoir ‘should make royal family nervous’: insider