Crowned King & Queen

In a startling twist, the duke and duchess will become the next king and queen of england. On with the royal coronation!

WHEN it was announced on Dec. 21 that a bad cold had forced Queen Elizabeth II to postpone her annual Christmas trip to her country estate in Sandringham, the news set off alarms across the U.K. Rumors immediately began to swirl that the 90-year-old monarch was gravely ill. Thankfully, as Buckingham Palace later confirmed, Elizabeth rallied and was able make the trip — just a day later than expected — and was on the mend. Indeed, on Jan. 4, the queen was well enough to bestow an honor on a member of her palace staff, and was reportedly up and about dealing with official papers.

Though the beloved monarch is expected to make a full recovery, sources say that, given her frail health, the queen has made the shocking decision to step down from the throne — and instead of passing the crown to her son and rightful heir, Prince Charles, she’s handing over the reign to William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the historic coronation will happen this summer!