Prince Charles is reportedly makes regular morning visits to the Queen at Balmoral amid her mobility struggles.
Royal experts say the visits are a sign the prince is concerned about the welfare of his mother and her ongoing struggle - with Her Majesty being seen for the first time using a walking stick in public earlier this year.
Yesterday it was revealed the Queen would not make the 1,000 mile trip from Balmoral to appoint a new Prime Minister next month - with the new PM instead travelling to Scotland.
Charles, 73, has reportedly been using gaps in his schedule to spend time with her.
Ingrid Seward, of Majesty Magazine, said: “It’s highly unusual for Prince Charles to make these kinds of impromptu visits to see his mother.
“But Charles is a very thoughtful person — and who else can she rely on now Prince Philip has gone?
“Everyone thinks they normally see each other all the time, but they don’t." , as reported by The Sun.
Each year the monarch heads to Balmoral Castle in July and usually remains there until October before returning to Buckingham Palace.
But with her difficulty with mobility a secret plan has reportedly been drawn up that would see the new PM visit her in Scotland.
It would be a significant change from tradition and be a historic first if Mr Johnson hands over the reins to his successor in the dubbed kissing of the hands ceremony outside of London.
When a new leader is elected, it is traditional for them to have a private meeting with the Queen in Buckingham Palace, known as the audience, where the individual and the Queen “kiss hands”.
While it would delay the announcing of a new government with a drip up to Scotland by the new Prime Minister, it is down to medical advice that the Queen should not travel.
“The Queen has now been advised not to travel,” said a Sun source.
“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.”
Due to the Queen’s age, Prince Charles has gradually been taking on more responsibilities and this includes most recently his role at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
