One of King Charles’ first acts as monarch could push Prince Harry even further from the royal family, following his 2020 royal exit.
It’s been reported that His Majesty intends to amend the 1937 Regency Act, making changes that would bar non-working royals from serving as counsellors of state.
Such changes would forbid Harry, as well as Prince Andrew and his eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, from holding the position.
But what is a counsellor of state and how would these changes affect Harry’s role in the royal family?
What is a counsellor of state?
A counsellor of state is able to fill in for the reigning monarch if they are indisposed.
(Image: Getty)
A counsellor of state is able to fill in for the reigning monarch if they are indisposed, such as by illness, and carry out key royal duties.
The current Act states that spouse of a monarch or the next four adults in line to the throne may hold the position of counsellors of state.
For King Charles III, this would mean Camilla, Queen Consort, followed by Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice.
If the King was to be indisposed, Camilla would fill in for him first, followed by each of the four other counsellors of state.
What happens if King Charles changes the 1937 Regency Act?
It’s been reported that the King has already outlined plans to amend the Act.
(Image: Getty)It’s been reported that the King has already outlined plans to amend the Act, adding a clause that would prevent non-working royals from holding the position of counsellor of state.
If the changes were made official, Harry, Andrew and Beatrice would all be barred from taking the role.
Instead, the counsellors would be William, Prince Edward and Princess Anne.
There is no other senior working royal in line to the throne, so the fourth place may be filled by another working royal, such as the Princess of Wales.
What would that mean for Prince Harry?
Harry stepped down from his role as a senior working royal back in 2020.
(Image: Getty)While Harry stepped down from his role as a senior working royal back in 2020, he was still counted among the late Queen’s counsellors of state.
If King Charles changes the Act, Harry will no longer be able to serve as counsellor of state for his own father.
The change could push him further from the royal family, as it would further reduce his remaining connections to the monarchy.
