

At every turn, so much change is occurring within the royal family, but let it be known that one aspect is very much the same, says a prominent royal expert: Her Majesty is still very much in charge.
Despite physical mobility issues, says royal historian Robert Lacey, she’s not stepping down from the throne anytime soon, nor has she lost control of anything at the Palace.
“The sense I get from everyone I speak to is that the Queen remains totally in control of her faculties and of everything at the Palace,” he tells PEOPLE, via OK!. “The problem is physical mobility—and that is not a constitutional or regency issue. She is in charge.”
Much was made of Her Majesty missing the State Opening of Parliament on May 10, where she sent two of her heirs, Prince Charles and Prince William, in her place. Lacey sees the duo stepping in as a significant moment, a decision the Queen was very much behind—along with the well-thought-out decision to express her desire for daughter-in-law Camilla to one day be Queen Consort.
“She’s clearly thinking of the future, and this can be seen alongside the moment she said it was her wish that Camilla be known as Queen Consort, which was another important development this year,” he says. “Asking her son Charles and William to attend is clearly about succession, about emphasizing a partnership and teamwork. Charles is deputizing for the Queen, as he has done before—and as William and Kate have also started to do in some of the duties they’ve been doing.”
This week, for example, Prince William attended a state funeral in the United Arab Emirates on behalf of the Queen, and Kate Middleton attended a garden party representing Her Majesty. After a spate of health issues stemming back to last year, the Queen’s attendance at royal events these days is fully dependent on how she is feeling that day, and “the assumption must now be that the Queen will not be present at events,” an insider told The Mail on Sunday. “If Her Majesty does attend, it will be decided on the day, and she will be accompanied by another member of the royal family.”
But just because her physical mobility might sometimes preclude her, don’t be fooled—the Queen is very much still the Queen.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
The Unexpected Character in Season Six of ‘The Crown’? Princess Diana’s Swimsuits
"The swimsuit is the new ball gown.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Spain’s Queen Letizia Masters the Wintery White Pantsuit for Royal Engagement Celebrating Her Former Career
Before she was a member of the Spanish royal family, Letizia was an accomplished journalist.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Made Us Do a Double Take in A Pink and Black Bodycon Dress
Chopra Jonas—along with a slew of other celebrities—were on hand for the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Apparently King Charles and Prince William Aren’t as Close as We’ve Assumed They Were Since Queen Elizabeth’s Death
Instead of working together for the good of the Crown, Omid Scobie writes that the two are more interested in individual success.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
In Between a Rock and a Hard Place, King Charles Might Have the Solution to See Both of His Sons Over the Holidays
Here’s what we know about Prince William, Prince Harry, and Christmas at Sandringham.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Showed How in Love They Are With Affectionate Moment During State Visit
So beautiful.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Just Dethroned This Celebrity for the Title of “World’s Sexiest Bald Man 2023”
The methodology to choose this winner is truly mind-blowing.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
A Very Bold 11-Year-Old Boy Asked Prince William How Much Money Was in His Bank Account
William’s response was nothing if not interesting.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince William is “Furious” About This Claim in Omid Scobie’s Latest Book, Commentator Says
“He’s just saying it’s absolutely not true.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince William and Prince Harry’s Relationship is Over for Good, Royal Biographer Writes: “There’s No Going Back”
In his new book “Endgame,” Omid Scobie writes that William is convinced Harry has been brainwashed by an “army of therapists.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Prince William Showed Subtle Signs That His Role As the “Family Rock” is Taking Its Toll, Body Language Expert Says
He joined his father, King Charles, at Remembrance Sunday yesterday.
By Rachel Burchfield