2007-10-07 17:01:20 · 26 answers · asked by lucylonglegs 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
The simple answer is that it isn't just a matter of abdicating on a whim. The rules of succession have been established over thousands of years, and the Queen is not going to throw all that away to "let Charlie have a go".
The most recent abdication (e.g. Edward VIII - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VIII_abdication_crisis), was purportedly over an affair of the heart; but there are major political intrigues also involved in this case.
Unless the Queen were to lose her ability to maintain her station, or were to be involved in some scandal where her continued rule would be seen as unacceptable, it is highly unlikely she would consider abdicating the throne.
2007-10-07 17:09:38 · answer #1 · answered by The Oracle 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Historically, there were no records of a British monarch stepping down so the male heir who is next in line could "have a go." I highly doubt Queen Elizabethh II would want go down in history as the first female monarch to abdicate for no legitimate reasons. A monarch is for life, unless they were forced by parliament to abdicate like King Edward III (Queen Elizabeth II's uncle), who chose to abdicate on his own free will rather than give up Mrs. Simpson. Even Queen Elizabeth's own father, King George VI who was very sick towards the end of his reign, still remained a monarch til his deathbed instead of passing the crown to then The Princess Elizabeth, who was also first in line of sucession just like Prince Charles of Wales.
With all that in mind, why would Queen Elizabeth give up her throne when she is still in prefect health at the cripple old age of 81?
2007-10-08 01:48:53 · answer #2 · answered by Rachelle_of_Shangri_La 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Tradition. Unlike some other European nations, the UK has no history of abdicating in favour of your children. Therefore it is likely the Queen will continue to reign until she dies.
Charles can already carry out many duties of the throne and if the Queen became incapacitated it is like he would reign as Regent until she either recovered or died.
2007-10-08 05:50:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She won't just "let him have a go". Her father was forced into being King because of his brothers abdiction to marry Wallis Simpson & the Queen thought her father's health suffered as a result. He was a nervous, quiet man with a stutter that disliked being thrust into the limelight & was never comfortable with it. I think she feels it is a job for life & that she should remain in the top job for as long as possible.
If she lives as long as her mother & remains both physically & mentally alert then there is a chance that Charles will never be King. He could die before his mother & the William would take over.
2007-10-08 05:16:23 · answer #4 · answered by monkeyface 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
At her Coronation in Westminster Abbey, the Queen swore herself into the job "for life"
Since she is a "believer" she would not be able, with a clear conscience, to relinquish the position of Monarch just to let someone else have a go.
2007-10-08 03:19:52 · answer #5 · answered by Veronica Alicia 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is that she cannot abdicate in favour of Charles.
Should the Queen abdicate, she forfeits her right to the Crown, therefore she forfeits the right for any member of her family to succeed her.
She would no longer be Queen therefore Charles would no longer be heir to the Throne, this means that the Crown would pass back to the eldest surviving male member of the old Queen Mother's family, this would be Princess Margaret's son Viscount Linley.
Makes sense, but you need to think about it.
2007-10-08 01:28:09 · answer #6 · answered by Mike B 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Because she is a traditionalist to her core! She would be the last one that would abdicate so Charles can take over. Her sense of duty is ingrained in her and immovable. I also wonder if she knows what a monumental cockup Chuck will be so she is either not going to die ever, or not care when she does-she won't be here!!!
2007-10-11 16:48:36 · answer #7 · answered by Lady Miss Keir 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because she knows if she does that the people of her monarchy will revolt against her and her family. He's a dweeb and she loves him, but she's not a stupid queen.
2007-10-08 08:00:27 · answer #8 · answered by jacquie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be the end for the Royal Family
2007-10-09 02:17:20 · answer #9 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect the Queen hopes to outlive Charlie so her grandkid will "have a go." It won't matter much. Sadly, Muslims and Hindus are taking over the UK in a dozen years.
2007-10-08 00:22:40 · answer #10 · answered by Sam L 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋