Concerns over Queen’s ‘mobility issues’ as secret plans for new PM’s appointment

The next prime minister will be appointed by the Queen as usual, but the ceremony may look very different due to alleged concern over Her Majesty's 'mobility issues', according to a source.

Either Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak will reportedly have to make the lengthy 1000-mile round trip to Balmoral, the Queen's residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, after secret plans were drawn up due to the monarch's mobility issues, it has been reported.

The news has sparked fresh health fears about the monarch, 96, and she has already skipped a string of events this year due to health issues.

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Speaking to the Sun, a source said: “The Queen has now been advised not to travel.

“But obviously no one tells the Queen what to do and ultimately it is her decision, and as we saw when she made a third appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the Jubilee she likes surprises.

“There are some parts of her role that Prince Charles can do on her behalf but the Queen is adamant that she appoints the Prime Minister.

“It may not be the best choice to make the Queen travel 1,000 miles there and back for a 48-hour visit when the Prime Ministers can easily get to Balmoral instead.”

The Queen arrived in Scotland on July 22 and planned to spend ten weeks there – but it is thought she wanted to make a quick trip south for the traditional kissing of the hands ceremony, set to take place on September 6.

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Windsor Castle had been earmarked for the occasion, although prime ministers are normally welcomed to the post in Buckingham Palace.

The only other time Her Majesty has ushered in a national leader outside of her London home was in 1952, when Winston Churchill was re-elected to the role and appointed at Heathrow Airport after the monarch made a mad dash back to the UK from Africa after her father King George VI died.

A final decision on whether the Queen will stay in Scotland is expected to be announced next week, giving the outgoing and incoming PMs plenty of notice.

The new Tory prime minister will be elected on September 5 by Party members after mounting pressure caused Boris Johnson to resign last month.

Vying for the role are Truss and Sunak, both cabinet members in Johnson's government.

Truss is currently edging into the lead ahead of Sunak, but the race is still pretty close.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.

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