The Queen, abdicate? Not for this one very special reason

She made a promise

The Queen, abdicate? Not a chance
The Queen, abdicate? Not a chance
(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen, abdicate? Not according to palace insiders. Her Majesty has no plans to end her historic reign early, despite reports she is set to hand over the monarchy to Prince Charles.

  • A palace insider claims The Queen’s grandchildren, particularly Princess Charlotte, keep her motivated to continue working
  • Other experts claim Her Majesty promised to serve ‘for all of her life’ prior to becoming Queen
  • It follows royal news that the Duchess of Cambridge debuted a new, lighter hair colour 

Queen greeting the crowds

The Queen is the longest-reigning monarch in British history

(Image credit: Getty)

Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for the past 68 years - making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Given the fact she’s 94, there have been reports suggesting that Her Majesty plans to step down as Head of State as soon as next year and hand the reins over to Prince Charles - heir to the throne, including the huge clue that left people convinced the Queen will abdicate this year. 

This ‘hand over’ would be called a Regency, and is governed by The Regency Act 1937 - which makes way for a regent to step in should a monarch become incapacitated.

Although Prince Charles might not actually be called King Charles III when he becomes King.

Prince Charles at Clarence House in October 2020

Prince Charles is heir to the British throne

(Image credit: Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

But, senior palace aides have poured cold water over the rumours by suggesting Her Majesty will be Queen until death.

According to the Express, an insider said, “There are no plans for a Regency. There are no discussions that I am aware of relating to a Regency.

“It’s entirely up to the Queen how she asks other members of the family to support her in her work.”

One glance back at the Princess Elizabeth’s declaration on her 21st birthday - before she became Queen - and she famously dedicated her life to the role.

Queen Elizabeth II's official coronation portrait

The Queen dedicated her life to serving her country

(Image credit: Getty)

"I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong," she said. 

And there’s one other reason the Queen is said to be reluctant to step back and that’s her grandchildren. 

A royal insider told the Daily Mail last year, “I don’t think she’s going anywhere, anytime soon.

“I think the Queen sees what those boys and their wives bring… Princess Charlotte, already at the age of three, knows how to work a crowd.

"Maybe now through her grandchildren she can see a way of just staying on the crest of that wave."

It comes after the government outlined plans for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and the Queen grants an extra Bank Holiday to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 - another major hint that the Queen isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

Georgia Farquharson

Georgia writes across Woman & Home and Good to Know and specialises in all things royal. Previously labelled the "Queen of the royals," Georgia knows the whose who and what's what when it comes to the monarchy. When she's not eagerly following the royal family, Georgia enjoys shopping and self-care. She lives with this motto in mind; "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."