Queen Elizabeth II addressed the public recently and shared her vision and wishes for the future of the Commonwealth. Not surprisingly, Prince Charles is at the forefront of her wishes, although how soon she plans to relinquish her duties to him has yet to be revealed.

The Queen formally made her plea on Tuesday to the heads of the Commonwealth that Prince Charles be appointed head of the Commonwealth when her time is over. Prince Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall attended the event with the Queen and watched as she gave the speech.

Queen Elizabeth II will turn 92 years old on Saturday and asked that Prince Charles be appointed as her successor of the Association of Britain and all of its former colonies. While most people believe that Prince Charles is automatically the heir to the throne because he is the Queen’s firstborn, being the King and the successor to the Commonwealth is not the same.

The succession of the Monarchy is hereditary, but the Head of the Commonwealth isn’t so simple. Queen Elizabeth II has been the head of the Commonwealth since 1952, and leaders are expected today to discuss her successor for that role.

While the position isn’t hereditary like the monarchy, Prince Charles is expected to get the nod from the heads of the Commonwealth. The Queen said in her speech that it is her desire for the Prince of Wales to continue her family’s tradition and work that began in 1949 with her father.

Although a Monarch has never retired from their position, we have yet to see if that will change with Queen Elizabeth II. She has already started handing down some of her responsibilities to Prince Charles in an effort that some believe is to smooth the transition to when he becomes the next King.