The number of royal family members who can stand in for King Charles III when he cannot fulfil certain official duties is likely to be increased, reports suggest.
Those who can deputise for the monarch if he is overseas on an official trip or ill as Counsellors of State include the Duke of Sussex, who lives in California after stepping down from royal duties, and the disgraced Duke of York.
The Regency Act of 1937 contains provisions for the counsellors and those who can stand in for the king to also include the queen consort and the four most senior adults in the line of succession — the Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice.
The Daily Mail and on BBC Online reported that the list of royal family members who can officiate when the king is not available is likely to be increased to include the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex.
The subject was raised by Labour Peer Viscount Stansgate on Monday in the House of Lords when he asked the government what plans it had, if any, to amend the Regency Act.
Prince William, Prince Harry and wives make joint appearance — in pictures
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Britain's William, Prince of Wales, second left, his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, left, along with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, look at floral tributes as they walk outside Windsor Castle. Reuters -
Left to right: The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle. AFP -
The royals meet people outside Windsor Castle. AP -
Walking together outside Windsor Castle. Reuters -
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are staying at Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate, just a stone's throw from Prince William and his wife Kate's new home, Adelaide Cottage. PA -
The royals speak and shake hands with different sides of the cheering crowds. AP -
A pause to look at floral tributes laid by members of the public on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle. AFP -
Prince Harry points at a floral tribute. Reuters -
In his first speech as king on Friday, Charles, 73, spoke of his love for his second son and daughter-in-law. AP -
The two couples had last been seen together at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2020. Reuters
The Labour Peer asked Lord True, Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords: “Does the minister not think it time to approach the king to discuss the potential amendment of this act, and in particular Clause 6, which at the moment defines regents in relation to their line of succession to the crown?
“Otherwise, are the government happy to continue with a situation where the counsels of state and regency powers may be exercised by the Duke of York or the Duke of Sussex, one of whom has left public life and the other of whom has left the country?
“Is it not time for the government to approach the king to see whether a sensible amendment can be made to this act?”
King Charles coronation date announced — in pictures
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King Charles III's coronation will be held on Saturday, May 6 next year, Buckingham Palace has announced, eight months after the monarch’s accession and the death of Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images -
King Charles III salutes as he leaves Westminster Abbey following the state funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II. AP -
King Charles follows behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey. Reuters -
King Charles attends the state funeral of his mother. Reuters -
King Charles meets faith leaders during a reception at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images -
King Charles in silhouette at Buckingham Palace as he meets faith leaders. AFP -
King Charles attends a vigil alongside Queen Elizabeth's coffin inside Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
King Charles leaves following the Vigil of the Princes, during which he and his siblings stood watch over their mother Queen Elizabeth's coffin at Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla enter Westminster Hall as the coffin completes its journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
King Charles follows the coffin of Queen Elizabeth as it is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during the ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Reuters -
King Charles meets members of the public as he leaves the Senedd in Cardiff, Wales, after a visit to receive a Motion of Condolence following the death of Queen Elizabeth. PA -
King Charles meets troops during a reception at Hillsborough Castle, County Down, Northern Ireland. PA -
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Hall, London, where both Houses of Parliament met to express their condolences following the death of Queen Elizabeth. PA -
King Charles greets mourners as he walks by the gates of Buckingham Palace following the death of Queen Elizabeth. AP -
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla view floral tributes left outside Buckingham Palace. AP
In reply, Lord True said: “The government will always consider what arrangements are needed to ensure resilience in our constitutional arrangements, and in the past, we have seen that the point of accession has proved a useful opportunity to consider the arrangements in place.”
It is thought any amendment to the Regency Act, to increase the number of counsellors, would be completed later this year before the prospect of the king and queen consort going on overseas tours in 2023, which may coincide with the Prince and Princess of Wales also being out of the country.
King Charles III visits Scotland — in pictures
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Britain's King Charles III greets members of the public in Dunfermline, south-east Scotland. His visit is to formally mark the conferral of city status on the former town. AFP -
King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort attend an official council meeting at the City Chambers in Dunfermline. Getty -
King Charles and the Queen Consort leave Dunfermline Abbey, after a visit to mark its 950th anniversary. AP -
King Charles greets members of the public. PA -
King Charles shakes hands with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as he arrives at the City Chambers in Dunfermline. PA -
King Charles and Camilla are shown the gravestone of Robert the Bruce during a visit to Dunfermline Abbey. AFP -
The letters patent confirming Dunfermline's city status. Getty
Counsellors of State are authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the sovereign such as attending Privy Council meetings, signing routine documents and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors to the UK.
But certain core constitutional functions cannot be delegated, such as appointing a prime minister or creating peers.
King Charles III is on the money — in pictures
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A 50p coin featuring the head of King Charles III displayed by the Royal Mint in London. Bloomberg -
King Charles III on a £5 coin commemorating the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II. PA -
The head of Queen Elizabeth is on the back of the £5 coin. Reuters -
Britons will start to see the king's image in their change from around December. Reuters -
The official coin picture of King Charles. Reuters -
Coins showing five versions of Queen Elizabeth's head used over her lifetime. Bloomberg
