Posted: 01:58, 12 September 2022 | Updated: 02:15, 12 September 2022
Princess Beatrice may now be a supporter of King Charles as a ‘counselor of state’ following the Queen’s death as she moved up the line of succession. The five senior members of the Royal Family who will act as Advisors to the new Monarch, 73, have been reshuffled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday September 8 at Balmoral Castle. Prince Andrew’s eldest daughter is now ninth in line to the throne and can take over Charles’ official duties if he is ill or abroad, the Times reported. The law states that those allowed to step into his shoes are the sovereign’s wife – now Queen Consort Camilla – and the next four people over 21 in the line of succession. Princess Beatrice (pictured at Ascot) may now be King Charles’ stand-in as ‘counselor of state’ following the Queen’s death as she steps up in the line of succession Prince Andrew’s eldest daughter (pictured right on June 3 attending the National Service of Thanksgiving) is now ninth in line to the throne and can take over Charles’ official duties if he is ill or abroad Beatrice, 34, is the fourth person in line to the throne over the age of 21, so can take on royal duties despite being ninth overall. The other members of the royal family who may take charge are Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William, the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York.
Why is Beatrice allowed to be a councilor of state despite being ninth in the line of succession?
The law states that those allowed to elect the monarch include the sovereign’s wife and the next four people over 21 in line to the throne.
Beatrice is the fourth person over 21 after Prince William, Duke of Sussex and Duke of York.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie and Lilibet are all under 21, so they cannot support King Charles III at official events.
The princess married property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020 and has a daughter Sienna, who is less than a year old but is tenth in line to the throne.
It is rare that advisers of state are needed, but in May Charles and Willian supported the Queen at the opening of Parliament.
Councilors of State roles are enshrined in the Regency Acts 1937-53.
The role of Counselor of State became law when a new regency act was introduced in 1936 when the Queen’s father, King George VI, became Head of State.
The role was created to cover short-term absences and avoid unnecessary litigation.
The criteria to be an adviser to the Monarch is that the member of the royal family must be over 21 and a British citizen living in the UK.
An heir to the throne can also become a Councilor from the age of 18.
However, some tasks cannot be delegated to them, including Commonwealth affairs, the creation of peers and the appointment of the Prime Minister.
The Councilors also cannot proceed to Dissolve the House, unless they have been expressly directed by the King.
Beatrice, 34, is the fourth person in line to the throne over the age of 21, so she can take on royal duties despite being ninth overall. From left to right are Charles, Princess Eugenie, The Queen and Princess Beatrice in 2010
The new line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom after the death of the Queen
