This cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express relates to a new poll, according to which Prince Charles is now the people’s choice to succeed the Queen after a surge in popularity thanks to his role in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Read more >>
BACKGROUND
Of course, the public does not choose the monarch, but earlier polls have consistently shown that a majority of Britons would prefer Prince William to succeed the Queen rather than his father. This 'skipping' of a generation is constitutionally feasible but rare in practice.
COMMENTARY
The Queen and Prince Charles are in the library at Windsor Castle. Charles is showing his mother the Express front page headline. The Queen tells him, "Don't get too excited—you'll never have a Diamond Jubilee ...". Since Charles is now 63, even if (God forbid!) the Queen were to die tomorrow, Charles would be 123 before he celebrated 60 years on the throne, so Her Majesty has a point.
ALSO SEE
• Britain Wants Charles As King (Daily Express)
• William vs. Charles: Who Should Succeed the Queen? (TIME)
• Prince William 'should succeed the Queen' believe half of people in UK (Mirror)
• Britain's crisis of succession: Charles and the story behind the royal wedding (The Globe and Mail)