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Charles, 69, is the oldest and longest-serving heir to the British throne in UK history, after assuming the position when the Queen became monarch in 1953. He is also the longest serving

Prince of Wales, having held the title since 1958. Yet, despite mounting rumours the Queen is on track to abdicate in three years in order to allow her son to assume greater responsibility,

a Royal source has revealed the Prince of Wales may not be set for a promotion just so soon. A friend of the Queen reported to Vanity Fair the monarch made a very revealing comment in the

aftermath of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013. They recalled that the Queen commented on the Pope’s retirement, saying: “I would never do that.” The insider indicated Prince Charles

may have to wait a long time before becoming King, due to the Queen’s robust health. They reported that the Queen “never sits down” and her mind “still works so fast”. And they added: “At

the table, she was listening to three different conversations going on - jumping back and forth between them.” Other leading European monarchs have broken tradition in recent years by

abdicating in order to pass on power to their children. Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated in April 2013, after regaining for 33 years. Her son Willem-Alexander was inaugurated as King of

the Netherlands on the same day, and his wife Maxima became Queen. King Juan Carlos I of Spain also abdicated in favour of his son Felipe VI in 2014, after reigning for 39 years, since

November 1975. Prince Charles is nevertheless thought to be quite content with remaining in his position as Prince of Wales, with one English peer noting the role has afforded him greater

freedom. They said: “Charles figured out a very long time ago that he was going to be Prince of Wales for a very long time. “He planned his life accordingly, and he wouldn’t have been able

to accomplish half of what he has if he had become King earlier.” Notably, the Prince has been a keen advocate in the fight against climate change, and used a keynote speech in the Ghanaian

capital of Accra on Monday to promote environmental issues. He has also already been assuming increasing responsibility from the Queen as she reduces her schedule, including halting

international travel. Prince Charles was appointed as the Queen’s designated successor as the head of the Commonwealth, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018.

Commenting on the appointment in April, the Prince said: “I am deeply touched and honoured by the decision of Commonwealth Heads of State and Government that I should succeed the Queen, in

due course, as Head of the Commonwealth. “Meanwhile, I will continue to support Her Majesty in every possible way, in the service of our unique family of nations.”