The Queen breaks tradition announcing she will not return to Buckingham Palace to appoint new PM

In a Royal first, Queen Elizabeth II will not return to her home in London to conduct official Royal duties of appointing Britain’s next prime minister.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed the 96-year-old will meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his replacement at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she is currently residing.

This is the first time in Her Majesty’s 70-year reign that she will not conduct the traditional constitutional “kissing of the hands” ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Johnson will tender his resignation to the Queen after his successor is chosen following a tumultuous and scandalous term as Prime Minister.

The conservative leadership battle is currently between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, with the victor becoming the Queen’s 15th Prime Minister.

The Palace had originally announced that the Monarch would make the 1,600-kilometre journey to London and back to carry out the ceremony.

The Queen’s decision to stay at her residence in Aberdeenshire has sparked further concern for her health and mobility issues.

Worried for The Queen.
Of course, she’s right to stay at Balmoral to receive new PM.
But there are now real fears she may never return to Windsor or London.
But this is Her Majesty.
She has defied the health odds before and we must pray she does so again.
God bless you, Ma’am.

— Dan Wootton (@danwootton) August 31, 2022

???????????????????????????? Due to The Queen’s ongoing mobility issues, it has been reported the new Prime Minister could be appointed by The Queen at Balmoral instead of Buckingham Palace. ????

The new Prime Minister would visit Scotland, where the kissing of the hands would take place. pic.twitter.com/2T8EhtPDhb

— The Crown Chronicles (@crownchronicles) August 27, 2022

Royal experts have revealed that Queen Elizabeth II’s attendance at one of her favourite events, the Braemar Gathering in Scotland, will be a telling sign of Her Majesty’s growing health concerns.

The yearly Royal games event has been a tradition since 1832 and regularly attended by reigning Monarchs since 1848.

“I think it will be significant if she doesn’t attend,” Royal editor at Sunrise, Rob Jobson said.

“My understanding is they’re trying to work out ways to get her in, but the fact is that with the mobility problems she’s got, she’s struggling to stand on her feet, it’s difficult.

“We’ve seen all the developments lately that have led to all the speculation,” he said, referring to the Queen’s absence from major events, replaced by her son, Prince Charles.

The Duke of Cornwall recently attended the Commonwealth Games, acting as a representative for Her Majesty, declaring the games open on his mother’s behalf.