'Only reason' Queen would abdicate is in rare event, says expert
dailystar.co.ukQueen would ever abdicate the throne — and royal history shows that she might have an alternative, an author has said.Her Majesty, 95, is said to be determined to see out the entirety of her reign, as she is deeply committed to her vow of a 'lifetime' of service to the Crown.
Nevertheless, royal expert and historian Dr Ed Owens told Express.co.uk that while it is "very unlikely" she would ever voluntarily step down, there would one exceptional instance that may see her give up her title.This, he said, would be a physical illness that severely limited her ability to perform her duties.He said to the Express: : “I think it is highly unlikely [that she would abdicate] unless a future monarch of Britain is physically unable to perform the role — hence abdication may be considered as an option — or they bring the monarchy into disrepute, for example through some kind of personal scandal, and therefore essentially ‘resign’ and pass on the role of monarch in the hope that it will ensure the survival of the crown.”Dr Owens said however that there was still a more likely outcome than abdication if she became too ill to perform her day-to-day duties for an indefinite period.This would not see Her Majesty leave her position as Queen, but instead appoint an heir as her regent to perform the functions of monarch.Such a move would follow the arrangements towards the end of the reign of 'mad king' George III in the 18th century, which saw King George IV take over as regent when he entered a lengthy sickness.Author Matthew Dennison said in a biography of Queen Elizabeth II that she once told her cousin Margaret Rhodes she would never abdicate "unless I get Alzheimer’s or have a stroke".For the latest breaking news and stories from.
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