Queen Elizabeth not likely to follow Dutch monarch into retirement

The Associated Press

LONDON - The story in the Daily Mirror features a photo of an elegant aging monarch with the headline: "Queen Gives Up Her Throne to Son."

Then, in smaller type, "Easy, Charles... It's Queen Beatrix of Netherlands."

The abdication of Beatrix sparked some speculation in the British press today about whether Queen Elizabeth, at 86, might follow suit and step down so her son Charles could become king.

But commentators quickly noted that in the past Elizabeth — who seems to be in excellent health — had indicated that she regarded being Queen as a job for life.

Charles, 64, has been heir to the throne since 1952.