The Queen Reportedly Gets Her Wish

A day after Queen Elizabeth II's bold move on behalf of her son comes news that should cheer her: British media report that Prince Charles will succeed her as the next head of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth leaders have reportedly agreed on his appointment as head of the 53-nation group, and a statement confirming that is expected at the end of their two-day meeting, which began Thursday at Windsor Castle. The position is not a hereditary one, which left open the possibility that someone else could take on the role.

The BBC suggested one option had been to have it cycle among the 53 leaders, but the Telegraph notes many thought Charles to be the only "realistic contender." Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had expressed their support for him. Many of the member states were formerly part of the British Empire. They are collectively home to 2.4 billion people, but only 15 of them will eventually have Charles as their head of state. (More Prince Charles stories.)