In the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth’s passing, Princess Beatrice has been given a surprising new role within the Royal Family.
The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson has been appointed as a Councillor of State, a significant position that allows her to step in for King Charles III should he be unable to fulfill his royal duties.
According to the Royal Family website, the next four individuals in line of succession who are over the age of 21, along with the spouse of the Sovereign, are included in the list of Councillors of State.
Before the Queen’s demise, Princes Charles, Andrew, William, and Harry have all served in this capacity.
However, it is important to note that Camilla, the Queen’s wife, possesses the authority to lead in the King’s place.
As a Councillor of State, Princess Beatrice will have the authority to carry out most of the Sovereign’s official duties if the need arises.
This includes attending Privy Council sessions, handling administrative tasks, and accepting the credentials of new ambassadors to the UK.
Nevertheless, there are certain matters that Beatrice cannot address unless specifically instructed by the King, such as Commonwealth affairs, the appointment of peers, the selection of a Prime Minister, and the dissolution of Parliament.
Princess Beatrice, currently fourth in line for those who are 21 or older and tenth overall following Charles’ ascension to the throne, has not made any public statements regarding Queen Elizabeth’s passing or her new position as Councillor of State.
It is worth mentioning that Beatrice has always held a deep affection for the Queen, once expressing her gratitude for having her as her grandmother.
In relation to Prince Harry, it has been noted that Queen Elizabeth lacked assertiveness, as acknowledged by Prince Charles himself.
While Charles has faced criticism in his memoir “Spare,” the Duke of Sussex has consistently paid tribute to his late grandmother.
According to a Royal historian, the Queen was criticized for not being forceful enough when dealing with Prince Harry, whereas King Charles is known for being more confrontational with his son.
This week, it was officially announced that Harry and Meghan Markle have been instructed by the King to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage due to their ongoing conflicts with the royal institution.
A representative for the couple confirmed the news, stating that they have been ordered to leave their house.
Royal historian Robert Lacey revealed that the decision to evict them from Frogmore Cottage was made by Charles, emphasizing his stronger approach compared to his mother’s.
It is believed that the Sussexes were informed of the eviction prior to the release of Harry’s biography, “Spare,” in January.
Despite this, they have no intention of contesting the decision.
A source close to the situation expressed that the timing of the eviction is unfortunate, considering the King’s upcoming coronation.
However, Harry and Meghan are reportedly taking a pragmatic approach to the situation.
Despite stepping back from their official royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry has consistently expressed his love and admiration for his grandmother.
In response to Harry and Meghan’s departure from the royal family, Queen Elizabeth released a statement affirming her support for their decision to establish a new family while remaining valued members of her own.
She further expressed pride in how quickly Meghan has become a part of the family.
It is worth noting that the couple chose to name their daughter Lilibet as a tribute to the Queen, using her childhood nickname.
Princess Beatrice’s new role as Councillor of State signifies a significant responsibility within the Royal Family.
As the monarchy adapts to the changes brought about by Queen Elizabeth’s passing, the role of each member becomes even more crucial in maintaining the stability and continuity of the institution.