Amid reports in the UK that Prince Charles is preparing to take over the leadership of the Royals when the Queen turns 95, a meeting was held with his father on Tuesday to “discuss the continuing fallout from his brother’s disastrous TV interview”.“Her Majesty will turn 95 in 18 months – the same age at which her husband Philip withdrew from his public duties – and there is talk among courtiers that she may use the milestone to effectively hand over day-to-day control of the monarchy to Charles.”
A royal source also told The Sun: “The scandal surrounding Andrew and Epstein gave Charles an opportunity to step in to show that he can run The Firm. No one is bigger than the institution of the Royal Family. Not even Andrew, the Queen’s favourite son.”
The report added: “The last Prince Regent was appointed in 1811 after George III suffered episodes of mental illness and his eldest son was asked to take over his duties.
“Affectionately known as Prinny, the future George IV, was notorious for his hedonism – drinking, eating to excess and keeping several mistresses at once.
“The Regency, which lasted until his father’s death in 1820, was tumultuous.
“Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was assassinated in 1812 and, with the Napoleonic Wars raging, taxpayers were riled by the Regent’s spending.
“His failed attempts at divorcing Caroline of Brunswick also caused a scandal.
“He died after ten years on the throne and was succeeded by his brother, William IV.”
It was also noted that the Queen “has been gradually reducing the number of public engagements she attends from 332 in 2016 to a still impressive 283 in 2018”.
“Charles, meanwhile, undertook 507.”
It is understood that “the heir to the throne will spend several days with the increasingly frail prince”. His father is 98.
“Many courtiers feel that since the Queen’s husband, who used to rule his family with an iron fist, retired from public life, ‘discipline’ within the royal family has not been what it should be – hence Andrew’s virtually autonomous decision to go ahead with his disastrous Newsnight interview over his controversial friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.”
The report continued: “It’s is believed that Charles will seek his father’s counsel over what the family should do next as well as spend a few days together, enjoying each other’s company.
“Charles, 71, was in New Zealand with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, on a hugely successful tour on behalf of the British Government when news broke about the interview.
“But he moved decisively with the Queen to demand that Andrew step down from public duties to deal with the scandal.
“Meanwhile, sources have told the Mail that Charles will not be having any kind of immediate ‘showdown’ with his brother, as has been claimed.
“Indeed, it is understood that he has no plans to meet with his brother, although it is inevitable that the issue will be discussed over the coming weeks.
“But he will be kept abreast of developments by staff and will inevitably sit down with Andrew at some point in the future.”
