The Queen would ‘never abdicate’ because ‘it is simply not in her DNA to abandon her people or duty’, royal insiders have told Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl.
According to well-placed sources, the monarch, 94, views ‘abdication as a dirty word never to be uttered in her presence’ and plans to ‘serve until her death.’
Sources close to the royal said the Queen is very much involved plans for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations next year and is unlikely to mark her 95th birthday next year in a significant way because she is ‘saving the celebrations.’
The plans for a double bank holiday to mark the milestone were revealed last week amid speculation by royal commentators that the Queen would step aside and allow Prince Charles, 71, to take over as monarch next year.
The Queen, 94, would ‘never abdicate’ because ‘it is simply not in her DNA to abandon her people or duty’, royal insiders have told Vanity Fair ‘s Katie Nicholl
Insiders refuted the claims, revealing: ‘As a young woman she vowed to serve until her death and that is what she plans to do.’
A blockbuster programme of celebrations is currently being developed to mark the historic milestone when Her Majesty will become the first British monarch to have reigned for 70 years.
Friday, June 3 has been picked as the additional day off. The late May Bank Holiday will also be put back to Thursday, June 2 to create a special four-day weekend.
Organisers said the celebrations will mix traditional pageantry and ceremonial splendour with cutting edge artistic and technological displays.
Last month several royal commentators speculated that the Queen would step aside and allow Prince Charles, 71, to take over as monarch next year
Plans are in place to stage a series of events across four days, from June 2-5 in 2022, which will reflect the Queen’s reign and her impact on the UK and the world since her accession to the throne in 1952.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Platinum Jubilee offers an opportunity for the Queen to express her thanks for the support and loyalty Her Majesty has received throughout her reign.
‘The Queen hopes that as many people as possible will have the opportunity to join the celebrations.’
At 94, the Queen is already the longest-living monarch in British history.
She surpassed her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-serving ruler five years ago.
The Queen came to the throne on February 6, 1952, at the age of 25, following the sudden death of her father, George VI. However, her Coronation did not take place until June 2, 1953.
The Royal Household and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are jointly arranging the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: ‘Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee will be a truly historic moment – and one that deserves a celebration to remember.
Crowds throng The Mall during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012
‘We can all look forward to a special, four-day Jubilee weekend, when we will put on a spectacular, once-in-a-generation show that mixes the best of British ceremonial splendour with cutting edge art and technology.
‘It will bring the entire nation and the Commonwealth together in a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s reign.’
The comments come weeks after royal commentator Robert Jobson told The Royal Beat, available on True Royalty TV, he believes the monarch will abdicate next year, saying: ‘I still firmly believe when the Queen becomes 95, that she will step down.’
Newsweek Royal Reporter Jack Royston told True Royalty TV: ‘I think she won’t want to, but realistically she will get to a point where she has handed over everything to Charles and then how do you look your son in the eye and tell him he is not going to be King?’