Queen officially begins handover process for Charles

The Queen has delivered an impassioned speech to Commonwealth leaders, asking them to name Prince Charles as her successor so he may carry on the work of the royal family after she is gone.

Charles joined his mother for the momentous occasion at Buckingham Palace, where leaders from the 53 Commonwealth nations gathered for the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Thursday.

Reminiscing about her own time on the throne, the Queen said it had been her privilege to watch the Commonwealth grow “stronger year by year” and that it was her “sincere wish” her son that “one day” he be named as her successor.

That one day is likely to be tomorrow when Commonwealth leaders formally decide who should be named the next Monarch. While Charles is the rightful king by birth, he must be officially chosen by leaders to replace his mother as Head of the Commonwealth.

“When I meet the young leaders of this century, I remember my own life-long commitment – made in South Africa in 1947 at the age of 21. As another birthday approaches this week, I am reminded of the extraordinary journey we have been on, and how much good has been achieved,” the Queen said in her speech.

“It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day The Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.”

While the Queen’s own succession to the throne was marred by questions about her capabilities, given her gender and her young age at the time, it is nothing compared to the whispers that have surrounded the possible reign of Charles III.

The prince’s popularity has struggled to recover since his divorce from Diana and his marriage to Camilla, his former mistress, only further stoked the fire among his critics.

There were also concerns Charles didn’t have the strength of character required to lead the Commonwealth, with his official 1996 biography painting him as privileged and ignorant of the hardships faced by regular citizens.

However, Charles has worked hard in recent years to regain the trust of the people with numerous charities, environmental and humanitarian causes presenting him as a man who would bring both compassion and tradition to the throne for his relatively short reign.

The Commonwealth leaders are expected to make a formal statement on their decision on Friday. 

Do you think Charles should be named as the next king? Or would you prefer William to take over?