The News
King Charles Considers Changing Law, Could Impact Prince Andrew and Prince Harry
King Charles is reportedly contemplating a significant change that could have implications for Prince Andrew and Prince Harry.
Recent reports suggest that an 85-year-old law may be rewritten, potentially leading to the loss of their stand-in status as councillors of state.
This alteration could also affect Princess Beatrice.
Currently, under the Regency Act 1937, individuals eligible to serve as councillors of state include the sovereign spouse and the next four individuals in the line of succession who are over 21 years old.
This means that in the event King Charles is unable to fulfill official duties due to illness or being abroad, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, and Princess Beatrice could be called upon to deputize temporarily.
However, King Charles is contemplating revising the law to exclude non-working royals from serving as councillors of state.
According to sources cited by the Telegraph, this proposed change would render Andrew, Harry, and Beatrice ineligible for the role they currently hold.
Following Queen Elizabeth's passing, there has been a shift in the line of succession.
The current councillors of state include Camilla, the new Queen Consort, along with Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and the recently added Princess Beatrice.
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, withdrew from public duties in November 2019 amid controversy surrounding his association with convicted s– offender Jeffrey Epstein.
His status as a councillor of state has come under renewed scrutiny since the Queen's recent COVID scare.
The responsibilities of councillors of state encompass a range of official duties, such as attending private council meetings, signing routine documents, and receiving credentials from new ambassadors to the United Kingdom.
Notably, certain constitutional functions cannot be delegated, including matters related to the Commonwealth, dissolving Parliament, creating peers, and appointing a Prime Minister.
In May, both Charles and William stepped in for the Queen to inaugurate a new session of Parliament when she was unable to do so due to mobility issues.
This underscores the importance of having designated individuals who can fulfill crucial royal duties in the monarch's absence.
The potential changes being considered by King Charles raise questions about the future dynamics within the monarchy.
Will this move lead to further instability or perhaps signal a new era for the royal family?
Share your thoughts on this development in the comments section.
As developments unfold, it remains to be seen how this proposed adjustment to the law could impact the roles and responsibilities of non-working royals within the council of state.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.