Due to her health problems, Queen Elizabeth breaks a tradition in Great Britain

New attitudes for an elderly sovereign who has chosen her favorite chalet, with lift included, in the park of the Balmoral Palace, to continue to reign. Queen Elizabeth will receive the new British Prime Minister at her estate in the mountains of Scotland, for the first time in his long reign.

His Majesty will meet them on September 6, one day after the announcement of the election of the new Conservative Prime Minister, following a partisan challenge.

As Head of State, it is the Queen’s duty to appoint the Prime Minister who leads Her Majesty’s government.

The Royal Encyclopaedia states that the appointment of a prime minister is “one of the few remaining personal prerogatives of the sovereign”.

The queen does not act on advice nor does she need to consult anyone before summoning the leader with an absolute majority of seats in the House of Commons to form a government.

Normally the queen received the premier leaving at Buckingham Palace, in a historical choreography followed by press helicopters. She greeted us and received the new one.

The queen’s health status now does not recommend him, with her mobility problems, which have drastically reduced her daily schedule and public appearances.

Doctors have recommended the 96-year-old monarch to stay at her mansion in Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, where she enjoys her summer holidays.

It will be from there that former finance minister, Rishi Sunak or Chancellor Liz Truss will install as the new prime minister on 6 September, breaking years of royal precedent.

The 5 will end the leadership challenge, which both conservative candidates are doing across the country. Probably the winner is Liz Trussa former pro-European, turned pro-Brexit and joined Boris Johnson’s cabinet.

Surprise

The surprising news arrived on Wednesday morning. “The Queen will receive Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday 6 September at Balmoral, followed by an audience with the new Prime Minister,” a palace spokesperson announced.

“The Queen will meet the new Prime Minister at Balmoral next week for the first time during her reign,” Buckingham Palace said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is expected to step down from office, and the new Conservative Party leader, who will be asked to form a government, Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, will travel to Balmoral for the key audiences Tuesday 6 September.

The decision was taken at this stage to give certainty to the agenda of the Prime Minister.

If the Queen had an “episodic” mobility problem next week and the plan was to travel to London or Windsor, she would have made alternative arrangements at the last minute.

difficulty walking

the tabloid The sun reported over the weekend that Charles, the Prince of Wales, his son and future heir, who lives in a neighboring mansion, had regular morning visits to see his mother as it continues to struggle with its mobility. Unplanned visits are considered very unusual for the sovereign, even by members of her family.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the monarch’s health.

During her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen traveled to Buckingham Palace only twice. First of her for her appearance on the balcony at the ceremonies of Trooping the color and then, to greet the people after the parade, where she was very excited.

For her convenience, the sovereign spends most of her time at Windsor Castle, 33 kilometers from central London. She lived there during the pandemic and when major renovations are underway at Buckingham Palace, which was her official residence.

Since last fall, the queen has suffered from mobility issues and now regularly uses a cane and, in her privacy, a wheelchair if needed. Her arrival at Balmoral met with minimal military reception, breaking a historical tradition. She did not go to live in the building but in the chalet, which he shared with Prince Philip, where he was able to live as a normal couple, with only four rooms and a small staff. .

This year it has been seen forced to shorten several official commitments. Notably, she missed much of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, appearing only briefly on the palace balcony.

In June, for the first time since his coronation, he missed the Royal Ascot races. The Duke of Kent took his place at the head of the procession of royal carriages. Also contracted Covid-19 in February and then he talked about how he left her, feeling “very tired and exhausted”.

The winner of the Tory leadership contest to succeed Boris Johnson will be announced on Monday, September 5.

His successor will then travel to Balmoral to be officially appointed by the queen. Then he will receive instructions from the sovereign to form a government in London, 700 kilometers away.

Paris, correspondent

CB