The Queen has asked Prince Charles to step in and fulfill her duties at a ceremony set to be held on Remembrance Sunday.

Breaking with tradition, the ceremony will see Her Majesty observing from the balcony instead of taking part and laying a wreath in person.

The Cenotaph ceremony is a significant event in the life of the country as the Queen leads the nation in remembering those who have died in world wars, both at home and around the world.

Charles taking over this role on behalf of the head of state will be a significant moment in his service to the monarch.

Earlier this summer, claims had been made that the Queen was preparing for abdicate the throne and make Charles king. Her majesty has revealed to her inner circle that if she is still on the throne when she turns 95-years-old she will seek legislation to grant her eldest son the power to reign while she is still alive.

"Her Majesty is mindful of her age and wants to make sure when the time comes, the transition of the Crown is seamless," according to a senior former member of the Royal Household.

Queen Elizabeth is the longest-serving monarch following her Coronation in 1953 after her father's death.

"In a way, I didn't have an apprenticeship. My father died much too young and so it was all very sudden ... taking on and making the best job you can," the Queen said.

During her reign, the Queen has only missed the opportunity to pay her respects in person with a wreath of poppies at the central London war memorial on six occasions; four of which because she was overseas. The other two were during her pregnancies in 1959 and 1963.

Prince Charles has laid the wreath for his mother at the ceremony during two occasions when she was overseas.

So what is the reason she has him taking over this time?

Buckingham Palace has not given a reason for why the 91-year-old will have her son take her place or the change in protocol, but it is known that the Queen will gradually start to share her royal duties with the Prince as she gets older.

With this change, it means that Charles will lay two tributes at this year's ceremony, one of his own and one on behalf of his mother.

Prince Philip's equerry will lay his wreath during the ceremony that is set to take place on Sunday November 12 at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen and Duke will be seen standing on the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which traditionally is used by royal women like the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Cornwall to watch the service.

"The Queen wishes to be alongside the Duke of Edinburgh and he will be in the balcony," a palace spokesperson said.

Prince Philip formally retired from royal engagements this summer at the age of 96.

"His Royal Highness The Duke The Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen," the press release in May stated.

"The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time," it stated.

When asked why the Duke has chosen to watch the ceremony from the balcony, a palace spokespersons said, "It's not unusual for members of the family to to watch it from the balcony. He wants to attend and wishes to be with the family on the balcony."

Source: Daily Mail / People