British monarch favours by-passing her son Charles and handing over to grandson Prince William

BRITISH monarch Queen Elizabeth has announced that she will be hoping to pass her crown to her grandson Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton when she leaves office meaning she will be overlooking the natural heir Prince Charles.

On the throne since February 6 1952, Queen Elizabeth II is now England's longest ever serving monarch, surpassing the reign of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. She is also the world's longest serving monarch and head of state following the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in October 2016.

Prince Charles, the queen's first son is the natural heir to the throne but at 68, even if he assumes office, his reign in not likely to be anywhere near as long as that of his 91 year old mother. He is also the oldest person to be next in line to the throne taking over the mantle from Sophia of Hanover.

One Buckingham palace source said: “Her Majesty realised that William and Kate are the future. She has spent 65 years making sure that the House of Windsor survives and she sees William and Kate as having the energy and star quality to do the job in a modern world.

"Queen Elizabeth will always do what is best for the long-term health of the monarchy. Her Majesty has also said that she truly does not believe the monarchy has the respect and power it once had, so in her eyes, William and Kate are the two people who can turn that around.”

According to some palace insiders, the decision has caused a rift between William and his father Charles. According to the these sources, their relationship has been strained but they will get used to it eventually.