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The Queen's reign is 'effectively over', royal expert claims

The Queen’s reign is ‘effectively over’ and the coronavirus pandemic has ‘practically put’ her son, Prince Charles,’on the throne’, according to royal biographer Andrew Morton.

The 94-year-old Monarch has been in self-isolation at Windsor Castle for the past few months with her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip.

Queen Elizabeth ll reads the her speech at the State Opening of Parliament on November 15, 2006 in London, England.
Andrew Morton claims the Queen's reign is 'effectively over'. Photo: Getty Images

“It's terribly sad but I can't see how the Queen can resume her job. The COVID-19 virus isn't going away soon and will be with us for months if not years” Andrew Morton told The Daily Telegraph.

“She has always loved getting out and meeting people but she can't take the risk,” he continued.

“The brutal truth is that her reign is effectively over. COVID-19 has done more damage to the monarchy than Oliver Cromwell.”

He went to say that the pandemic has basically put Prince Charles on the throne.

His comments come just weeks after it was revealed that the Queen is likely to withdraw from public life for months due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Sunday Times.

Andrew Morton previously told The Sun he fears the monarch may never return to royal public life.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lord's Chamber on December 19, 2019 in London, England. In the second Queen's speech in two months, Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the majority Conservative government's legislative programme to Members of Parliament and Peers in The House of Lords.
The royal biographer claims Prince Charles has been 'practically put on the throne'. Photo: Getty Images

“It would be far too risky for the Queen to start meeting people on a regular basis,” he said.

The Queen’s last public engagement was the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9th, and her speech to the nation after lockdown garnered 24 million viewers.

In her VE Day anniversary speech she told the nation: “Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish.

“Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps. But our streets are not empty. They are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.

"When I look at our country today and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride, that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire."

Last week, the Queen came under fire after the British royal family’s official Instagram page shared a post celebrating her coronation anniversary while ignoring the call for a social media ‘blackout’ in support of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

EGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend The OUT-SOURCING Inc Royal Windsor Cup 2018 polo match at Guards Polo Club on June 24, 2018 in Egham, England. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images)
EGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 24: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend The OUT-SOURCING Inc Royal Windsor Cup 2018 polo match at Guards Polo Club on June 24, 2018 in Egham, England. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images)

The Queen was crowned on 2 June, 1953, with this her 67th year on the throne, however, as protests and riots rage over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in the US, the celebratory post has been slammed as ‘tone-deaf’ by royal watchers.

The royal family’s decision to post a celebratory post remembering her coronation was met with fury by many British citizens supporting the protests, particularly as they point out the Instagram page had yet to acknowledge the movement.

“I love the royal family but this is so tone-deaf...” one woman wrote on the photo.

“You only care about yourself during a time where protests are ongoing worldwide to fight oppression,” another wrote. “Absolutely atrocious.”

“Either post in support of black lives matter or stop posting,” another demanded.

“I love the Royals but have some sense of awareness,” another wrote.

Some came to the monarch’s defence, arguing that her Commonwealth Trust had shared their support for the movement on Twitter.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust is run by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who are the president and vice-president respectively.

Queen Elizabeth is patron of the trust.

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