As difficult as it may be to contemplate, the queen potentially doesn’t have very long left.

Likewise,Queen Elizabeth has had a number of highly-publicized health problemsrecently, too.

And, a couple years into her stint in Windsor Castle, it became clear she’d never return.

Queen Elizabeth giving her Christmas address

The queen’s crown was present, as a symbolic gesture.

Evidently, various procedures are already in place to make the handover of power as smooth as possible.

Funeral preparations for the longest-reigning monarch in British history will, obviously, be a considerable undertaking.

Queen Elizabeth looks at something in a pink outfit

“The transition has been planned behind the scenes for quite a few years,” Little confirmed.

The Duke of Cambridge will gradually take on more responsibilities in the coming years, led by his father.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles sit side by side on their thrones