Ninety-six-year-old Queen Elizabeth II may be slowly handing over power to Prince Charles’ son and Prince William’s grandson, but the monarch is likely to be drawn into the latest British political drama: the resignation of the former Minister Boris Johnson.
Although the queen does not vote and remains neutral on political issues, she maintains a relationship with incumbent prime ministers, meeting with them and holding regular discussions.
On Wednesday, British media reported that Johnson maintained his weekly phone call with the Queen, although Buckingham Palace declined to say when asked on Thursday if the couple had spoken again. at the end of his term as prime minister.
Since Johnson is expected to remain in his role until the fall, it is likely that his weekly talks with the monarch will continue until a replacement is appointed.
Although it is not known who will replace Johnson, when the individual is appointed, they are expected to meet with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, where the monarch will ask if they will form a government.
“To this question, two possible answers are realistic. The most common is acceptance,” the royal official website states.
In July 2019, the second female British Prime Minister, Theresa May, traveled to Buckingham Palace, where she formally submitted her resignation to the Queen.
“May bowed to Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday afternoon and resigned,” The Washington Post reported at the time, before referring to Johnson as the new British leader of “wrinkled hair”.
During her seven decades on the throne, the Queen has seen 14 prime ministers come and go: Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Harold Macmillan, Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major. , Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May and now, Johnson.