Prince Charles will succeed Queen Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth

It's official: Prince Charles will succeed Queen Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth, the BBC reported.

The Queen had said it was her “sincere wish” that the Prince of Wales succeed her when she dies. Leaders of the Commonwealth discussed the issue before making their decision, the BBC reported.

Unlike the British crown, the lead role in the Commonwealth is non-hereditary, the BBC reported.

At a news conference, British Prime Minister Theresa May praised the Queen for her "vision and duty" in growing the Commonwealth from eight members to 53. She said it was "fitting" Prince Charles would succeed her due to his "proud support" of the Commonwealth "for more than four decades."

The role is largely symbolic and carries no maximum fixed term, the BBC reported.

The Queen turned 92 on Saturday. Charles, her oldest child, is 69.

About the Author

Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

PSC won’t delay key Georgia Power vote after Democrats’ election wins

The Georgia Public Service Commission has rejected a bid to delay a key vote on whether to allow Georgia Power to execute a historic expansion of its generation fleet.

Clapping out the paper: A farewell to ink, deadlines and the print AJC

Beginning on Jan. 1, this 157-year-old institution will become a fully digital news operation. No more paper. No more ink-stained fingers. No more paper in your driveway.