Charles Turning 60; Will He Ever Be King?

(CBS)  This is a big weekend for Prince Charles.

He turns 60 Friday, and the celebrations are going to last for a few days.

And, CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer reported from London on The Early Show Thursday, the question everyone continues to ask is -- will Charles ever be king?

Charles is, Palmer says, "the man who would be king -- if his 82 year old mother, Queen Elizabeth, wasn't quite so robustly healthy."

In a rare public statement Wednesday, the queen made it clear she does expect Charles to take over one day, saying, "For Prince Phillip and me, there can be no greater pleasure or comfort than to know that into his care are safely entrusted the guiding principles of public service and duty to others."

Charles was five-years-old in 1953 when he watched, from Buckingham Palace, his mother's coronation parade -- which means he's been heir-in-waiting for 55 years.

In that time, in spite of the scandal, then tragedy, of his marriage to Diana, he's dedicated himself to their sons, William and Harry, to charity work, and a few pet causes, such as organic farming.

In the BBC documentary, "Charles at 60," he says, "I always try and keep out of all the party politics and all that sort of thing. Obviously, you know, you skirt around edges see where you can help and push things here and there and do whatever one can."

So, observes Palmer, at an age when most CEOs are thinking of retirement, the Prince of Wales is still waiting to take over the top job.

And he may have a long wait, still.

Queen Elizabeth's mother, Queen Mother Elizabeth, died in 2002 at the age of 101.

"She's never going to give up!" remarked TV star Joan Collins on The Early Show Wednesday. Collins, who is British, said, "Her mother lived to be 100! (actually -- 101 -- see above!). If she lives to be 100, Charles would be 80 himself, and I don't think the British people want a king of 80! And they love the boys (Princes William and Harry), and would probably love to have them on the throne."

[baicas]

I don''t think they need to abolish the monarchy, I think it''s good for England''s economy in the tourist since.

[cmp271]

I like Charles, and feel he is a kind caring man. It is too bad he had wrong judgement where Diana was concerned. Camilla is a horse!!!

Charles will make a good king, maybe Elizabeth will figure out how to "retire" gracefully and let him have the throne for awhile. Then again, maybe Charles is happy doing what he does best-public relations. He also starred in a business training film John Cleese produced, and a documentary on Pittsburgh PA. Charles is not what people think.

He was raised to be a monarchy, and he is just that. It is hard to get through that line of how to behave.

[violets4me]

Maybe someday he will be King but as long as his mother is still in good health she is doing what she promised to do when she became the Queen when her father died. God Bless The Queen. I actually would rather see his and Diana''s son become King as I think William will make a better King.

[sepa2]

He will not because he has a high IQ and low celebrity

[rational_1]

{Yawn} [stretch] Sigh.

[notopennshut]

The queen will never abdicate because she can''t see her spineless adulterous son, with his trash of a wife Camilla, sit on the thrones destined for better folks. Charles, a "mouse" without principles and morals, is not fit to lead the country and chruch, especially with his marriage to Camilla. Who needs the monarchy anyway -time to do away with the whole lot of parasites!

[mgpm-2009]

People don''t "get" this: Kings and Queens DO NOT retire. Theirs is a job for LIFE. Charles understands this, and I''m sure he has no problem with it. He does''t want his mother to abdicate, or step down, so he can be king. This is the order of things in the monarchy, and it isn''t going to change. Charles will be king when his mother dies, no matter if she does so tomorrow or twenty years from now. That is just the way it is.