King Charles is reportedly considering rewriting an 85-year-old law that could result in Prince Andrew and Prince Harry losing their stand-in status as councillors of state.
According to reports, under the current rules, the two princes, along with Princess Beatrice, can temporarily deputize for King Charles if he is unable to carry out official duties due to illness or absence abroad.
However, the proposed change would prevent non-working royals from holding this position.
The Regency Act of 1937 states that councillors of state include the sovereign spouse and the next four individuals in the line of succession who are over the age of 21.
The Telegraph reports that King Charles is contemplating rewriting the law to exclude non-working royals from being councillors of state.
If this change were implemented, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, and Princess Beatrice would no longer be eligible for the role.
The line of succession has shifted since Queen Elizabeth’s passing, with Camilla, the new Queen Consort, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice currently serving as councillors of state.
Prince Andrew, also known as the Duke of York, is no longer a working royal, having withdrawn from public duties in November 2019 following criticism of his association with convicted paedophile Geoffrey Epstein.
With the recent scrutiny surrounding his status as councillor of state, there is renewed debate following the Queen’s COVID scare in February.
During that time, Prince Philip held the role alongside Charles, William, Harry, and Andrew.
Charles had also contracted COVID, William was abroad in Dubai, Andrew had permanently stepped back from royal life due to a civil s**ual assault case, and Harry was residing in the US after relinquishing his senior working royal position.
Councillors of state are authorized to perform various official duties on behalf of the Sovereign, such as attending private council meetings, signing routine documents, and receiving new ambassadors to the United Kingdom.
In May, Charles and William stood in for the Queen to open a new session of Parliament when she was unable to do so due to mobility issues.
However, certain core constitutional functions cannot be delegated, including matters related to the Commonwealth, dissolving Parliament (except on the express instruction of His Majesty), creating peers, and appointing a Prime Minister.
What are your thoughts on this news?
Do you believe King Charles’ potential decision will lead to further criticism of the monarchy?
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We will have to wait and see how this unfolds.
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