Prince Charles to replace queen as head of British commonwealth

April 20 (UPI) -- Prince Charles will be the next head of the British commonwealth, leaders agreed Friday -- going along with Queen Elizabeth II's wishes for her son to succeed her.

Although the post is not hereditary, the queen said Thursday she hoped Charles -- her oldest son -- would take over when she dies.

"It is my sincere wish that the commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations, and will decide that one day the prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949," the queen told the heads of state.

Commonwealth leaders, who met Friday at Windsor Castle for a second and final day, agreed to her wish.

The decision on who succeeds the queen as head of the commonwealth -- which represents about 2.4 billion people -- needed to be unanimous.

Elizabeth, who turns 92 on Saturday, assumed the post in 1952 after the death of her father.

Camilla Parker Bowles, who Prince Charles married in 2005, will not receive the title of queen when Charles ascends to the throne, but will have the title of princess consort.