Hey there, royal watchers! Here's a surprising twist from across the pond. Queen Elizabeth has decided to pass on her traditional wreath-laying duties at this year's Remembrance Day ceremony to her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles. The event, held on Sunday, Nov. 12, will see the Queen observing from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, alongside her beloved husband, Prince Philip, who is breaking his retirement to join this significant British event that honors veterans and the fallen. Buckingham Palace spokesperson shared, "The Queen wishes to be alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, and he will be in the balcony." It's a touching moment of solidarity for the royal couple.
Now, this isn't the first time the Queen has skipped the wreath-laying ceremony. In fact, it's only happened five times before in her reign. Twice, she was pregnant, and the other times she was on official royal tours, including memorable trips to Ghana in 1961, Brazil in 1968, and South Africa in 1999. Prince Charles, now 68, has stepped into this role once before when the Queen was touring Kenya. But this time, it’s different. This will be the first time Charles performs this solemn duty while being watched by his mother, adding an extra layer of significance to the occasion.
Queen Elizabeth's Past Remembrance Day Moments
Queen Elizabeth at a past Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
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Shift in Tradition: More Duties for the Next Generation
This change in tradition marks a significant moment for the royal family. It’s clear that the younger royals are stepping up to carry out more engagements on behalf of the Queen and her retired husband, Philip. Prince William, now 35, has increased his workload and transitioned to being a full-time royal after finishing his stint as an air ambulance pilot. In an op-ed for the Eastern Daily Press, William expressed his gratitude for his time in the emergency services. "Over the past two years, I've met people from all walks of life who were in the most desperate of circumstances," William wrote. "As part of a team, I've been invited into people’s homes to share moments of extreme emotion, from relief that we've given someone a fighting chance, to profound grief. I've witnessed firsthand the incredible skills of doctors and paramedics who save lives every single day."
An insider speaking to The Sunday Times revealed that William felt no external pressure to leave his job but understood that with age comes greater responsibility to the monarchy. While William won’t be taking on as many commitments as other senior royals, like his father, Charles, or his aunt, Princess Anne, he's committed to his role. "Some people might question why William still doesn't do as much as Princess Anne, but he's adamant about not overshadowing his father," the source explained. "He recognizes that Charles could be in his 70s before he becomes king and doesn't want to appear as if he's pushing him aside." This means the devoted father will still have time to raise his two children, Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2, with another child on the way!
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This article was crafted by Candice Mehta-Culjak. It first appeared on our sister site, Now to Love.
