This Is The Real Reason The Queen Didn't Appear In Charles' 70th Birthday Photo

On November 14th, the British Royal Family celebrated the 70th birthday of Prince Charles. For the occasion, everyone was gathered at Buckingham Palace. Queen Elizabeth II delivered a poignant speech in honour of her son. "It is a privilege for any mother to be able to celebrate her son's 70th birthday, which means that we have lived long enough to see her child grow up," she said.

The queen also listed the qualities of her son, and recalled his vocation to become king of England, calling him an "heir more devoted to the throne than any other in history".

Despite this touching message, Prince Charles' parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, were absent from the official photo, broadcast by Clarence House. In the photo, Prince Charles is surrounded by his wife, Camilla, his sons William and Harry and their wives, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, and his grandchildren, George, Charlotte and Louis. But no trace of the parents. Why is that ?

Protocol first and foremost

It's really a question of protocol. "The main reason is that, being a photo in honour of the birthday of Prince Charles, he should be the oldest member of the royal family to appear," said the reporter Duncan Larcombe in Harper's Bazaar, taken over by Le Figaro.

Another reason was that the queen could be using this as a chance to prepare her son to rule England. "This is also further evidence that there is a real desire to highlight Prince Charles, as he is becoming more and more important," said the journalist.

The queen could pass the crown to her son before his death. The transition could be completed on her 95th birthday, within 3 years.