Amid his ongoing battle with cancer, King Charles has made notable changes to the roster of Counsellors of State, bypassing his niece, Princess Eugenie, in the process.
Royal historian Marlene Koenig shed light on the monarch's recent moves in an interview with GB News. She explained, "Upon his ascension to the throne, King Charles relinquished his role as a Counsellor of State. Consequently, Princess Beatrice was next in line to assume the position."
Koenig further elaborated on a recent amendment to the Regency Law, stating, "King Charles secured parliamentary approval to include Princess Anne and Prince Edward as Counsellors of State, effectively bypassing Princess Eugenie." She added, "In the event of Prince Harry's removal, Princess Eugenie would logically ascend due to her position in the line of succession."
Koenig also noted the absence of Prince Harry and Prince Andrew from the Counsellors of State, pointing out that Prince Harry's non-residence in the UK should technically disqualify him, but King Charles opted not to make any changes that might upset the Sussexes. Meanwhile, Prince Andrew remains a controversial figure due to his involvement in a sex scandal.
With King Charles and Kate Middleton both battling cancer, and Prince William supporting her through the health crisis, the monarchy is currently relying on a limited number of working royals. However, as King Charles is still able to fulfill his constitutional duties, he has yet to appoint new Counsellors of State.
The recent changes in the Counsellors of State lineup reflect King Charles' strategic decisions amidst health challenges and underscore the complexities of royal family dynamics.
