PRINCE CHARLES OR PRINCE WILLIAM? YOU DECIDE

The sight of Prince Charles standing in for his mother at the State Opening of Parliament this month gave us all a glimpse of what is to come.

A king-in-waiting since the age of three, the Prince of Wales looked every inch the apprentice ready to take the mentor’s job.

Yet it is no secret that in the eyes of many, Prince William would be the preferred successor to his much-loved grandmother.

Some are adamant he should leapfrog his father because he is not tainted by the dark days of Diana, and there is a general sense that he would simply be better at the job.

It is true that Prince Charles has not lived a faultless life as the longest-serving heir to any throne in history. But we are stuck with him whether we like it or not – and here’s why.

Popularity has nothing to do with the line of succession and never has done. As long as we choose a non-elected family to rule over us, then the whole point is that we don’t get any say. Complaining that William is a better fit than his father is as pointless as barking at the moon – it won’t change anything.