Rumours untrue: Queen not standing aside to let Prince Charles take her duties

The sources, who are close to the royals, rejected claims the Queen is to request the Regency Act come into force. Photo / Getty Images

By Stewart Paterson

The Queen has no plans to pass her official duties on to Prince Charles, and insisted "duty first, I'm going to be there", it was reported.

Sources say the world's longest-reigning living monarch is as steadfastly committed to the role as she every was.

The sources, who are close to the royals, rejected claims the Queen is to request the Regency Act come into force, according to the Daily Mail.

"The Queen has always been so vehement that there will never be a regency unless she was sick to the point of being unable to perform her duties," one told The Sunday Times.

Neither Buckingham Palace nor Clarence House is preparing for a regency, they confirmed.

Officials have refused to comment on growing speculation that the monarch was to step aside, but referred to a pledge she made on her 21st birthday: "I declare ... that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service."

The 1937 Regency Act would allow the Queen to cede her power to heir Prince Charles, "in the event of incapacity of the sovereign through ill-health, and for the performance of certain royal functions in the name and on behalf of the sovereign in certain other events".

The legislation states that Queen's duties could be performed by a regent, should the monarch be declared incapable of performing royal functions.

Queen Elizabeth II delivers the Queen's Speech whilst sat next to Prince Charles, Prince of Wales during the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords. Photo / Getty Images

This would require written confirmation by at least three or more of her consort, including the lord chancellor, the speaker of the House of Commons and the master of the rolls.

It was reported last week that the Queen had told her inner circle that she would retire from royal duties and step aside if she was still on the throne aged 95.

But both royal households have dismissed speculation since the Duke of Edinburgh retired from public life earlier this month.

Following the announcement that Prince Phillip was to step down, the Queen urged royal staff to place more emphasis on state business in support of the monarchy - rather than "individual activity".

Neither the monarch nor the Duke of Edinburgh embark on long-haul trips, as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall take on more foreign duties on her behalf.

It comes on the run-up to the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, with an ICM poll indicating that 51 per cent of people would prefer Prince William to be the next monarch.

The poll also revealed that 36 percent thought that Camilla should be princess escort rather than the Queen - should Charles take the throne.

While royal aids have sought to "soften" her diary since her 90th birthday, there are still state matters that the queen will not delegate.

These include continuing to attend to her red boxes - despite suffering a cold that lasted several weeks last year.