Queen Elizabeth Makes Historic Move With Appointment of Next Prime Minister Due to Growing Health Concerns

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Queen Elizabeth II will reportedly appoint the next U.K. prime minister at Balmoral Castle in Scotland instead of Buckingham Palace in London due to ongoing health concerns.

The Appointment Of U.K.’s PM

Queen Elizabeth II will reportedly appoint the next U.K. prime minister at Balmoral Castle in Scotland instead of Buckingham Palace in London due to ongoing health concerns. This would be the first time the appointment ceremony would happen outside London or Windsor during the 96-year-old monarch’s reign. The ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 6 and will see either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss become Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s successor.

Queen Is On Summer Holiday 

The Queen is now at her Scotland estate for her summer holiday and is no longer expected to travel back to London to appoint the next prime minister, and sources told The Sun on Thursday. Plans are underway to have the ceremony at Balmoral because of her mobility issues. Her doctors have reportedly advised her not to travel.

Queen’s Decision 

A final decision is expected next week so Johnson and Truss or Sunak can be notified. “The Queen has now been advised not to travel,” a source told The Sun. “But obviously no one tells the Queen what to do and ultimately it is her decision, and as we saw when she made a third appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the Jubilee she likes surprises.”

Prince Charles Taken Official Duties 

While Prince Charles has taken on more official duties, even helping open a session of Parliament, the Queen still wants to oversee the transfer of power from one PM to the next herself. “There are some parts of her role that Prince Charles can do on her behalf but the Queen is adamant that she appoints the Prime Minister,” The Sun’s source said. “It may not be the best choice to make the Queen travel 1,000 miles there and back for a 48-hour visit when the Prime Ministers can easily get to Balmoral instead.”

Ceremony Of New Prime Minister 

Queen Elizabeth has reportedly been at Scotland castle for a 10-week holiday since last month. She wanted to return to London for the constitutional ceremony after a new prime minister was named. The first PM she appointed was Winston Churchill in 1952. Since then, every prime minister has met the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Prince Andrew Barred From Royal Duties 

Since the Queen arrived at Balmoral on July 22, members of the royal family have visited her. Prince Andrew, who has been barred from royal duties due to his sex abuse scandal, was reportedly there first for “intense talks” with his mother. Prince Charles and Camilla are at their Birkhall home near Balmoral. Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children also visited. 

Also Read: Assets of Queen Elizabeth worth $28 billion and the list of properties

Johnson’s Plans To Resign 

Johnson announced plans to resign in July following a series of scandals. Truss or Sunak will be named the next PM and Tory leader on Sept. 5. The next day, Johnson will give Queen Elizabeth his resignation letter so his replacement can be appointed. Sunak or Truss will be the 15th prime minister during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. 

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