The News
**Princess Beatrice Takes on New Royal Role**
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Beatrice has been bestowed with a significant new role within the royal family.
As the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice has been appointed as a Councillor of State.
This prestigious position allows her to step in for King Charles III and fulfill his royal duties when necessary.
The role of Councillor of State comes into play in situations where the monarch is indisposed or away on official business, enabling the designated individual to temporarily carry out sovereign responsibilities.
Prior to Princess Beatrice, Princes Charles, Andrew, William, and Harry have all served in this capacity.
Despite being fourth in line among those aged 21 and above, Princess Beatrice now ranks tenth overall following Charles's ascension to the throne.
Notably, this authority does not extend to Camilla, the Queen's consort, who holds the power to act on behalf of the king.
In her new role, Princess Beatrice is empowered to undertake a wide array of formal duties on behalf of the sovereign, including attending privy council sessions, handling administrative paperwork, and accrediting new ambassadors to the UK.
However, there are certain limitations to Princess Beatrice's authority as Councillor of State.
While she can execute most of the sovereign's formal duties if required, she is not authorized to address commonwealth matters, appoint peers, select a prime minister, or dissolve parliament without explicit instructions from the king.
Last year, Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, welcomed their first child, Sienna Elizabeth, into the world.
Known for her admiration of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Beatrice has yet to publicly comment on the queen's passing or her new role as Councillor of State.
In a surprising turn of events, it appears that US President Joe Biden is unlikely to attend King Charles's upcoming coronation.
Reports suggest that President Biden is leaning towards skipping the coronation ceremony scheduled for May 6.
Instead, he is expected to be in Ireland around that time to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
While plans are underway for a representative to attend the coronation on behalf of the president, the identity of this delegate remains undisclosed.
The Windsor Framework, an agreement aimed at resolving post-Brexit challenges in Northern Ireland, may play a role in ensuring Vice President Biden's presence in Northern Ireland for the Good Friday Agreement commemoration.
Despite opposition from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) towards the Windsor Agreement, there are discussions within the party regarding its potential adoption and the resumption of operations at Stormont.
Nevertheless, it is unlikely that these political deliberations will hinder President Biden's visit to the White House.
Coinciding with these developments are allegations that President Biden's Irish Catholic mother held negative sentiments towards the royal family and discouraged him from showing deference to the Queen.
Biden recounted in his autobiography, “Promises to Keep,” how his mother cautioned him against bowing to the Queen when he mentioned his intention to meet her.
During Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrived late and had to wait in their vehicle at Westminster Abbey.
Opting for private transportation instead of joining the dignitaries on the bus, they eventually made their entrance to the Abbey later than scheduled.
In a lighter news story, the playful interaction between King Charles III and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, stole the spotlight at the Commonwealth Day service.
A video capturing a jovial shoulder bump exchanged between King Charles III and Sophie showcased their warm relationship, adding a touch of lightheartedness to the formal event.