Will The Queen Step Down? Elizabeth Meets With Royal Army, Says She's More Engaged Then Ever In Older Years

Queen Elizabeth – the day-drinking, mega-rich, longest-reigning monarch alive – has no intentions of stepping down from the British throne anytime soon. The queen met with the Royal Welsh regiment of the British army Friday, speaking with military generals and making it abundantly clear she intends on continuing her reign over the royal infantry, as well as the rest of the British public, in her older years.

"She commented at lunch how much more engaging soldiers are these days," James Swift, major general of the Regimental Colonel of the Royal Welsh regiment, told People Magazine Friday. "She thinks it is because she is now a little older that she is now a little less frightening, which gives you a view of her humility."

Elizabeth made international headlines over Christmas and New Year's Eve, when she and her husband, 95-year-old Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh, were ill with a cold and unable to leave their home, prompting concern and death rumors worldwide. The royal monarch shows no signs of letting up, however, continuing her royal duties throughout 2017 and attending several major functions since her recovery in January.

Meanwhile, several additional members of the royal family have taken on additional duties, including Kate Middleton, duchess of Cambridge, as well as her husband, Prince William. The two now represent the royal family for a number of children’s welfare charities and national sports, while Queen Elizabeth has maintained her oversight of several hundred British organizations, including the royal army.

"The British Army, perhaps more than any in the world, has always lived through the regiment and the regimental tradition," Queen Elizabeth said Friday. "In the hour of battle it has repeatedly relied on these bonds, on the pride and comradeship of men who would sooner die than betray the traditions of their corps, or be unworthy of the men of old who fought before them under their colors. This is reflected in your regimental motto, death rather than dishonor."