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Queen hints Prince Charles could replace her as head of Commonwealth

Commonwealth leaders are expected to give Prince Charles backing on Friday to replace his mother.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles arrive for the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Image: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles arrive for the formal opening of the meeting
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The Queen has hinted that Prince Charles could take over from her as head of the Commonwealth.

Speaking at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Buckingham Palace on Thursday the Queen gave her clearest intention yet for her son to carry on the role.

She told the leaders: "It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations - and will decide that one day the Prince of Wales will carry on the important work started by my father in 1949."

Moments before she spoke, Prince Charles made an informal pitch to take over leading the group of 53 nations, giving leaders a small reminder of his commitment to the Commonwealth.

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'Charles should carry on important work'

"For my part, the Commonwealth has been a fundamental feature of my life for as long as I can remember," he said.

Outgoing Commonwealth chair Joseph Muscat, Malta's prime minister, handed the baton over to Theresa May as the UK takes over chairing the Commonwealth for the next two years.

He seemed to confirm the heir to the throne's future role was a certainty.

More on Commonwealth

He said: "We are equally elated by the vigour with which His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales actively participates in Commonwealth affairs and puts a strong Commonwealth dimension in his various national and global ventures," Dr Muscat said in a speech at the ceremony.

"We are certain that, when he will be called upon to do so, he will provide solid and passionate leadership for our Commonwealth."

Malta PM Joseph Muscat praised Prince Charles for his service to the Commonwealth
Image: Malta PM Joseph Muscat praised Prince Charles for his service to the Commonwealth

Royal commentator Alastair Bruce told Sky News it sounded like Dr Muscat has been "paving the way" for Prince Charles to take over from the Queen.

He said the Queen would not have been able to mention her son taking over without specific talks with the chair of the Commonwealth.

It is widely assumed that the Queen, who celebrates her 92nd birthday on Saturday, is presiding over her last CHOGM having curtailed her overseas travel, apart from Europe, in 2013.

She has opened every CHOGM from 1973 to 2011, and also opened the 2015 summit in Malta.

CHOGM 2020 is expected to be held in Malaysia which will be too far for her to travel.

Queen Elizabeth speaks at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Image: Queen Elizabeth said she wanted her son to 'carry on the work started by my father'

Although the Queen has been head of the Commonwealth since coming to the throne in 1952 the position is not automatically held by the British monarch.

Theresa May's office said a decision on whether the prince should succeed his mother is expected from the leaders on Friday.

She is expected to be rallying for him to take over during the next two days.

The Commonwealth is likely to become increasingly important in terms of trade opportunities for Britain after it leaves the European Union next March.

In an unusually direct move the Queen referenced trade in her speech to leaders, highlighting the importance of Commonwealth countries co-operation.