Changing of the guard is happening worldwide it seems. Mandela and Ariel Sharon deaths, in my opinion, represent a changing of the guard and now here is the third witness. England's queen preparing to step down and give authority to Charles. Who will be next?

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[url]http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/queen-elizabeth-ii-hand-over-3039892

Queen Elizabeth II is not getting ready to abdicate; she will remain monarch until she dies. Abdication is not the British tradition. What she's doing is passing some of her responsibilities to Charles, in preparation for the approaching day that he will become king. Elizabeth is 87 years old now; her remaining years are numbered (as are those of Prince Philip). She might live to be as old as her mother, the Queen Mother, who lived to be 101, or she might die this year. She must have concluded that it's time to start getting her son ready for the day that he will inherit the throne.

And with that said, it does appear to be a changing of the guard, doesn't it?

Kathy, thanks for the clarification. What I get when I read this article is that she may well have some sense of failing faculties and possibly her life reaching its end if she is taking this step. She has been fiercely territorial till now and not willing to give the least bit of authority over to Prince Charles. He has sought to share royal duties before and been repulsed by her. Now she is yielding and allowing him to share the throne so to speak. I believe she feels it is time or possibly has been prompted by others to take this step for reasons known only to those in her inner circle. She also looks very frail physically lately. Not wishing any ill to her at all, just saying what is obvious to any onlooker.