If he goes through with his intentions to change the legislation so that all counsellors of state are working royals, the Duke of York, Duke of Sussex, and Princess Beatrice could not be allowed to act in the King’s place.
According to the 1937 Regency Act, the spouse of the king and the four adults who come after them may serve as counsellors of state while doing official business.
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cambridge, Duke of Sussex, and Duke of York all filled these positions throughout Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
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.
Princes Harry and Andrew could lose their ‘stand-in status’ if King Charles limits the counsellor role to working members of the Royal family
Princess Beatrice is one of three non working royals who could currently stand-in for the King
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.