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Buckingham Palace has announced that other members of the royal family will take over as Queen Elizabeth steps down from some 25 charity organisations before her 91st birthday next year.
Queen Elizabeth II (90) will now pass on patronages from the likes of Holocaust Day Memorial Trust, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), Barnardo’s and Save the Children UK, among others.
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The move has fueled speculation that she is preparing to hand over the crown to her 68-year-old son, Prince Charles. The next in line to the throne are Prince William (34) and his three-year-old son Prince George, respectively.
Buckingham Palace statement: pic.twitter.com/crsYeGD6DB — Peter Hunt (@BBCPeterHunt) December 20, 2016
“At the end of the Queen's 90th birthday year, Her Majesty will step down as patron from a number of national organisations," The Palace said in a statement.
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"Her Majesty will continue to serve as patron to hundreds of charities and institutions but will now share this work with her family. Many of the organisations listed below already have other members of the Royal Family as vice-patrons or presidents, which will ensure a smooth transition.
“This decision follows the example set by the Duke of Edinburgh who resigned from a number of patronages on the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2011.”
Additional sources: independent.co.uk, reuters.com, sun.co.uk
