The plans mark a historic first for a British monarch. Photo/Getty Images
Secret plans were made for the Queen to appoint a new prime minister at Balmoral rather than at Buckingham Palace, a first in history.
The Sun reported that Her Majesty, who has had health and mobility issues in recent months, has been advised to stay at Balmoral for a September 6 ceremony that will see either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak become Britain’s next leader.
The 96-year-old monarch arrived at her Scottish residence last month and had to cut short her annual 10-week summer holiday to return to Buckingham Palace on September 6 to formally accept Boris Johnson’s resignation and welcome Britain’s new leader. , but now travel plans for politicians have been drawn up.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “The Queen has been advised not to travel.
“But obviously no one tells the Queen what to do and it is ultimately her decision and, as we saw when she made her third appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the anniversary, she loves surprises.
“There are parts of her role that Prince Charles can fulfill on her behalf, but the Queen is adamant that she appoints the prime minister.
“It may not be the best choice to have the Queen travel 1,000 miles round trip for a 48 hour visit when prime ministers can easily get to Balmoral instead.”
A final decision will be announced next week as outgoing and potentially incoming prime ministers need prior notice.
The meetings were originally scheduled to take place at Windsor Castle, which has been the Queen’s primary residence since the start of the Covid pandemic.
Wherever the ceremony takes place, it is the first time in her 70 years of reign that it is not held at her official residence at London’s Buckingham Palace.
According to insiders, it is very rare for a monarch not to appoint a new prime minister either at Windsor or at Buckingham Palace.
In 1908, the ceremony was held in France when Herbert Asquith replaced Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, who suddenly resigned due to health problems.
The new prime minister had to travel to Biarritz to meet with King Edward VII while on royal leave.
He was appointed after an audience in a private hotel room and remains the only British Prime Minister to take office while abroad.
– Additional NZ Herald reporting