According to recent reports, King Charles has issued a special request to increase the number of working Royals. Under the Regency Act, the spouse of the monarch and the next four Royals in succession to the throne over the age of 21 can be stand-ins for the monarch.
Discover our latest podcast
Include the siblings
As such, the current five counsellors of state are Camilla, the Queen Consort; Prince William, the Prince of Wales; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex; Prince Andrew, Duke of York and his daughter, Princess Beatrice. However, two of these five Royals have stepped down from public duty, so it only leaves King Charles with three Royals who can fill in for him.
In what is to be understood as an ‘efficiency’ move, the monarch has asked to increase the number of Counsellors of State by two more people and wants to add siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward to the list. The change was requested on November 15, Monday and is likely to be approved by Tuesday – November 16, reported BBC.
Why the change?
This comes as the fab four – King Charles, Queen Consort and Prince and Princess of Wales – are likely to be taking overseas visits next year. And ensuring smooth public functioning in their absence would require more stand-ins than just Princess Beatrice alone. According to Hello Magazine, the statement read:
To ensure continued efficiency of public business when I'm unavailable, such as while I'm undertaking official duties overseas, I confirm that I would be most content should Parliament see fit for the number of people who can be called upon to act as Counsellors of State under the terms of the Regency acts 1937 to 1963 to be increased to include my sister and brother, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex and Forfar. Both of whom have previously undertaken this role.
It was earlier expected that the King would also extend this privilege to Kate Middleton instead of removing Princes Harry and Andrew from the list to save them some dignity and public humiliation. However, only two names have been requested to be added so far.
Sources Used
BBC: Princess Anne and Prince Edward to become stand-ins for King
Hello!: King Charles III requests major change involving Princess Anne and Prince Edward
