Counselors of state are authorized to perform official duties on behalf of King Charles. This happens, for example, if he is sick or is staying abroad. This role is usually filled by the current king’s wife and the next four seniors in the line of succession.
Queen Camilla and Charles’ son Prince William will perform many of these duties. Charles’ son Prince Harry, brother Prince Andrew and niece Princess Beatrice have also been allowed to do so by law.
But there is great doubt as to whether they can still remain as state chancellor. Prince Harry had previously given up his royal duties after being unhappy with the situation within the British royal family. Andrew was stripped of these duties after being accused of sexual assault.
His daughter, Princess Beatrice, works in finance and may not always have time to perform a royal duty. Therefore, it is under investigation whether these three people should be removed from the list of state advisers. Other members of the royal family can then be added to the list.
State counselors attend meetings of the Privy Council, among other things. This is the advisory body of the British monarch. They are also allowed to sign documents and receive credentials from new ambassadors.
Some tasks can only be carried out by the king, such as appointing a new prime minister or dissolving parliament. Earlier this year, Charles served as state chancellor on behalf of his mother, Queen Elizabeth. Then the British Parliament opened, because the Queen had to cancel due to health problems. After her death in September, Charles became king.