It’s always been my little self-indulgent headcanon that, for the entire duration of the show, Celestia’s been subtly prepping Equestria for a reality without her. S’why she’s always so hooves-off; she needs to know they can handle themselves. This all ties into my other silly headcanon of Alicorns not actually being exceptionally long-lived. And she’s certainly no spring chicken anymore. Gotta tie up all those loose ends before she heads Into the West.

