Prince Charles' press staff merging with the queen's

The scheduling and communications teams of Britain's Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II are merging, People.com reported Monday. Although the 87-year-old monarch will maintain a packed schedule throughout the year, the merging of her staff with her son's is the beginning of a lengthy transition by which Charles, 65, will some day take over the throne from his mother. "It was always the plan to wait until Prince William was settled before making any major changes," People.com quoted Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, as saying. "Prince Charles has always been insistent his son should have as much family life as possible before taking too many royal duties. Combining the two major royal offices makes perfect sense. It is time Prince Charles eased the burden on his 87-year-old mother and she has finally agreed he can do so. Therefore, William and Harry have to do the same for their father." Charles' sons William and Harry recently ended their active duty service as military helicopter pilots. Harry has begun a new army desk job stationed in London, while William, his older brother, is focusing on his royal duties and charity work. William also is married and has a young son.