Queen could strip Prince Andrew and Harry of elite job only held by four royals
19.01.2022 - 15:25
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
The Queen may approach parliament with a request which would prevent Prince Andrew and Prince Harry from keeping elite roles within the monarchy.
The monarch could act in answer to fears of a potential "leadership gap" at the head of the Royal Family if she fell ill, the Mirror reports.
Concerns regarding the 96-year-old having to step away from her position due to sickness could lead to her asking Westminster to change the law and halt the process which would kick in.
Five members of the royal family, titled ‘Counsellors of State’, have historically been positioned to take over from Her Majesty if she is unable to perform her duties due to being abroad or unwell, for example.
The title is currently held by Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, who are the four next in line to the throne and are at least over the age of 18.
The late Prince Philip, who passed away aged 99 last April, also held the role as a spouse of the monarch.
This enabled him, along with the other counsellors, to perform crucial functions of state to business, such as providing Royal assent to bills passing through Parliament and appointing High Court judges.
Both Harry and Andrew are no longer working members of the royal family, which essentially doubles the responsibility on Charles and William.
Prince Harry’s decision to quit royal life to set up home in California means he can no longer act on behalf of the Queen as he is not domiciled in the UK.
Similarly, the Queen stripping her son Andrew of his titles amid the ongoing civil sex case trial has resulted in him being demoted to a private citizen, meaning he is no longer eligible either.
Constitutional experts state that although the law isn’t clear, the practice has always