Additional reporting by Lydia Starbuck
There has been much discussion in the media over the past couple of days about the possibility of The Queen appointing a new Counsellor of State to replace the now-absent Duke of York and Duke of Sussex.
Following on from the departures of Andrew and Harry, and indeed the death of the Duke of Edinburgh in April, The Royal Family is now extremely short of Counsellors who could act on behalf of The Queen should she become incapacitated.
Many are now suggesting that it would be the perfect time to promote the Duchess of Cornwall to the prestigious role.
The royals who can act as a substitute to The Queen are known as Counsellors of State and they are high-ranking members of the Royal Family. In fact, they are the first three people aged 21 or over in the line of succession. They are currently the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York.
The Counsellors can carry out most functions of the Crown, such as attending Privy Council meetings and signing documents on behalf of the Monarch.
They cannot, however, dissolve Parliament without The Queen’s permission, appoint a Prime Minister, deal with Commonwealth matters or create peerages.
Two or more Counsellors of State must be presiding at any one time, which may pose a problem should the sovereign require assistance in the immediate future. For several of those who are currently named as Counsellors are in difficult situations.
Prince Philip was a Counsellor until his death in April. But the main concerns arise around the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York. Neither are working royals although that does not mean they cannot act as Councillors of State, although it will no doubt prove controversial. However, Prince Harry’s decision to base himself in the United States could prove problematic. All Counsellors are required to live in the UK for as long as they are required to exercise the function. There is nothing to say that the Duke of Sussex wouldn’t return but it makes his immediate appointment in the case of emergency more difficult.
This leaves just Prince Charles and Prince William as the two Counsellors of State who are also working members of The Royal Family. This leaves us dangerously close to a constitutional crisis, with a minimum of two Counsellors needed at any one time.
It, therefore, seems logical for The Queen to promote the Duchess of Cornwall to the role where she can offer assistance if needed.
Although Counsellors usually only consist of the first four in line to the throne and the monarch’s spouse, the needs are much greater now than they have been in recent history.
The Duchess of Cornwall is one of the hardest working members of The Royal Family, and unlike some existing Counsellors, is steadfast in her commitment to the monarchy. There is no better time for Camilla to step up to this important duty.
