Queen Elizabeth II Wouldn't Be Allowed To Abdicate Unless She Receives This 'Consent'

For several decades, Queen Elizabeth II has been the British monarch. The long-standing nature of her position naturally leads some fans of the royal family to wonder if she would ever abdicate in order to allow her eldest son Prince Charles to assume power. However, even if the monarch decided she wanted to do such a thing, would she even be able to?

According to the Latin Times, abdication is more complicated than just deciding to vacate the position. Therefore, it is not something that she could just choose to do on a whim. "If she were to decide it was time to abdicate, it isn't as simple as her calling up the Prime Minister and saying 'Cheerio!' Abdication requires legislation. Parliament would have to agree to her removing herself from the throne," a royal expert said, according to the publication.

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Queen Elizabeth would also need "the consent" of the other 15 nations that she rules over as well. That approval would also need to come in the form of legislation, but doing so would not be without consequence as such a move would supposedly "upend 16 countries and cause tremendous uproar in the republican movements in each of them." Due to all of the necessary preliminary work, it is said to be unlikely that the monarch would ever choose to go that route on her own.

Additionally, per the Latin Times, the Queen would also choose to remain in power if Prince Charles were to be diagnosed with a terminal illness. When she took on the royal role, she vowed to be the sovereign for her entire life, which is an oath that she takes very seriously.

Therefore, even if she delegates some of her royal duties to other people, including Prince Charles, it is highly unlikely that she would ever officially leave the position. However, she has reportedly been preparing him for years for the day when he fully steps into his own role in the monarchy.