Prince William to become 'Shadow' King?

The London Daily Mail claims to have a confidential document showing that the Queen is to hand over a substantial part of her public duties to Prince William (pictured) to help him prepare for the day when he becomes King.

Secret papers reveal that plans to ease the strain on the 83-year-old monarch and her 88-year-old husband, Prince Philip, are at an advanced stage.

The disclosures come despite months of denials from the Palace that the Queen was planning to step back from her official work in favor of her 27-year-old grandson.

The move will fuel rumors that the Queen believes William, rather than her son Charles, represents the best long-term interests of the monarchy.

William’s father, 61-year-old Prince Charles, has been waiting for the Queen to die so he can begin his life’s work.

And now the Queen seems to be planning to by-pass him in a “generation-skipping” succession to the British throne.

Link here and here.