The Queen will give up her powers to Charles after turning 95 – royal expert

The Queen could give up most of her powers to Prince Charles within the next two years, a royal expert has claimed.

Royal expert Phil Dampier says the monarch could use an established piece of legislation to delegate her duties to the next in line to the throne.

But he insists the Queen would never completely renounce the throne - despite some speculation to the contrary.

The 1937 Regency Act allows the monarch to relinquish some of their powers if he or she feels unable to fully perform the required royal duties.

Under this scenario, Prince Charles would take her place while Prince Philip, 98, would become the Guardian of the Queen.

But in order for it to pass through parliament, Philip along with two other senior political figures, would have to provide evidence supporting the Queen's claim.

The Queen, who celebrated her 93rd birthday in April, may have already decided to give up some powers when she turns 95, Dampier says.

He told Yahoo’s The Royal Box: "I don't think she would ever abdicate. I think she's made that clear on a number of occasions."

“There is talk that when she reaches 95 in a couple of years she may slow down and possibly the Regency Act will be brought in.

“She will still be Queen but Prince Charles will, in fact, take over most of the duties.

“He is starting to do that already, being at the state opening in Parliament and the Commonwealth conference."

Her husband Prince Philip has already retired from public life - massively scaling back his official engagements schedule in 2017.

The Regency Act has been used only once before. In 1810 King George III became mentally incapacitated and his eldest son, George IV, became Prince Regent for a decade.

Section 6 of the Act allows the monarch to cede to their heir "in the event of incapacity of the sovereign through illness”.

It also allows “for the performance of certain royal functions in the name and on behalf of the sovereign in certain other events”.

Dampier's comments echo those of royal commentator Robert Jobson who previously told the Mail On Sunday preparations for transition were gaining pace.

He claims Buckingham Palace staff were ordered to be "up to speed" on the legislation.

Mr Jobson said one former Royal Household told him: "Out of the profound respect the Queen holds for the institution of monarchy and its stewardship, Her Majesty would want to make sure that she has done everything she can for her country and her people before she hands over.

"Her Majesty is mindful of her age and wants to make sure when the time comes, the transition of the Crown is seamless.

"I understand the Queen has given the matter considerable thought and believes that, if she is still alive at 95, she will seriously consider passing the reign to Charles."