Writing for news.com.au, she said: “The 96-year-old can no longer have the same job she’s been doing for the past seven decades. “This is the first time since her health crisis began last October that the palace has explicitly admitted that Her Majesty is no longer able to do her full work. “Furthermore, what the palace has just done is admit that things are unlikely to ever go back to the way they once were for Her Majesty.” Ms Elsher said the Queen’s episodic mobility problems “clearly prevent her from physically carrying out her duties as sovereignly as she once could”. He added: “But what really matters here is the symbolism, which is ultimately the bread and butter of the monarchy. “What the palace has just done officially marks the Queen’s era as a visible element in British life. The queen as a comforting constant is largely over. “Sure, we can expect a regular stream of photos and short videos posted via the Queen’s official channels of her playfully zooming in on a governor-general here and there, or the odd Franken engagement that sees Her Majesty accept the diplomatic credentials of some newly arrived ambassador via video call. “But is a reign conducted almost entirely behind closed doors really a reign? This is all completely uncharted territory.” Ms Elsher’s comments come after the monarch’s job description in the Sovereign Grant report was published last week. The new edition puts more emphasis on other members of the royal family supporting the Queen, who recently celebrated her historic platinum jubilee. According to the annual report, the role of the monarch includes two main elements: Head of State and Head of Nation. Her duties as head of state were previously listed in a 13-point list, including state opening of Parliament. But the updated version replaces the bullet points with a more vague description that the role “includes a range of parliamentary and diplomatic duties”. The second part, the symbolic role of Head of Nation, is performed by the Queen “where necessary or necessary”. Concern for the 96-year-old’s health has grown since she spent a night in hospital last October. The monarch, who suffers from ongoing mobility problems, now regularly uses a cane and rarely holds engagements outside her royal residences. In a message at the end of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations last month, the Queen pledged to continue to “serve you to the best of my ability, with the support of my family”.
