Princes Andrew, Harry and Princess Beatrice may lose 'stand-in status'

Princes Andrew, Harry and Princess Beatrice could lose ‘stand-in status’ if King Charles gets way to make counsellors only working members of the Royal family

• Princes Andrew, Harry and Princess Beatrice could lose their ‘stand-in status’
• King Charles may change the law so that counsellors of state are working royals
• This could see Princess Anne and Prince Edward given the stand-in role by King 

Princes Andrew, Harry and Princess Beatrice could lose their ‘stand-in status’ if King Charles makes counsellors working members of the Royal family.

The Duke of York, Duke of Sussex and Princess Beatrice may not be able to stand in for the King if he proceeds with plans to amend the law so that counsellors of state are all working royals.

The monarch’s spouse and the four adults next in line can take the role of counsellors of state for official business as part of the 1937 Regency Act.

During Queen Elizabeth’s reign, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York took on these roles.

The monarch’s spouse and the four adults next in line can take the role of counsellors of state for official business as part of the 1937 Regency Act

With Camilla now Queen Consort, she can be included in this role, alongside Princess Beatrice — who has moved up the line of succession.

However with Princes Andrew, Harry and Princess Beatrice all non-working royals, it is understood that the King is looking to change the law.

He may bring his siblings Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward, the Earl of Sussex, forward to become official stand-ins, The Telegraph reported.

This would mean that the role of counsellor of state is no longer based on the line of succession. 

As a result, Prince William, heir to the throne, may need to be formally given this role instead of relying on the traditional pattern.

Counsellors of state, who act on behalf of the monarch when they are incapacitated or travelling overseas, are rarely called upon.

But in May this year, the then Prince Charles stood in for the Queen for the State Opening of Parliament, alongside his son, Prince William.

The law requires two counsellors to be present in place of the monarch.

The King would be required to change the law through Parliament and could be done through the Regency Act if the King asks MPs to consider his request.

The late Queen previously used this act to make Prince Philip Regent if their child acceded to the throne before their 18th birthday.

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