As part of the news of the Queen's passing on Thursday, it was also made clear that Prince Charles, along with his second wife Camilla, who has been given the title of Queen Consort, would assume the responsibilities of the throne as the King. After the royal family gathered at Balmoral Castle for the Queen, who was being cared for there, the news was shared on the royal family's official Twitter account.

According to the declaration, Prince Charles, the nation's new king, appears to have no plans to abdicate his throne in favour of his son Prince William. Though many people questioned whether William would succeed the Queen as monarch, the Queen made the unusual decision in 2018 to openly support Charles and urge the Commonwealth Heads of Government to name him as the next head of state.

Even though the late Queen wanted William to succeed her as the next monarch, she lacked the power to directly appoint him because, in accordance with the 1701 Act of Settlement, a monarch must nominate their direct heir to the throne in order to formally appoint an heir. As a result, Prince Charles was an obvious choice. Even though she was the head of state, the Queen did not have the legal authority to alter any laws.

The Queen had also stated this year that Camilla should be given the title of Queen Consort. She wrote, per People, that "when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service."