Princess Beatrice can now be a stand in for King Charles: Prince Andrew’s eldest daughter is now a ‘counsellor of state’ following the Queen’s death – after moving up the line of succession
- Princess Beatrice is now ninth in line to the throne after the Queen’s death
- The monarch’s spouse and the next four in line over 21 can be counsellors
- Camilla, Prince William, Dukes of Sussex and York and Beatrice are counsellors
- In May Charles and William stood in for the Queen at state opening of Parliament
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
Princess Beatrice can now be a stand-in for King Charles as a ‘counsellor of state’ following the Queen’s death as she moved up the line of succession.
The five senior royals who will act as Counsellors to the new Monarch, 73, have changed after Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, September 8 at Balmoral Castle.
Prince Andrew’s eldest daughter is now ninth in line to the throne and can undertake Charles’ official duties if he is ill or abroad, reported the Times.
The law states that those allowed to step into his shoes include the sovereign’s spouse – now Queen Consort Camilla – and the next four people over the age of 21 in the line of succession.
Princess Beatrice (pictured at Ascot) can now be a stand-in for King Charles as a ‘counsellor of state’ following the Queen’s death as she moved up the line of succession
Prince Andrew’s eldest daughter (pictured right on June 3 attending the National Service of Thanksgiving) is now ninth in line to the throne and can undertake Charles’ official duties if he is ill or abroad
Beatrice, 34, is the fourth person in line to the throne aged over 21 so can take on the royal duties despite being in ninth position overall.
The other royals that can take on the responsibilities are Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William, The Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York.
Why is Beatrice allowed to be a counsellor of state despite being ninth in the line of succession?
The law states that those allowed to stand in for the monarch include the sovereign’s spouse and the next four people over the age of 21 in line to the throne.
Beatrice is the fourth person over 21 after Prince William, The Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie and Lilibet are all under 21 so cannot stand in for King Charles III at official events.
The Princess married property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020 and has a daughter Sienna, who is less than a year old but is tenth in line to the throne.
It is rare for counsellors of state to be needed but in May Charles and Willian stood in for the Queen at the state opening of Parliament.
The counsellors of state roles are enshrined by the Regency Acts 1937-53.
The role of Counsellor of State was made into law when a new Regency Act was created in 1936 when the Queen’s father, King George VI, became the Head of State.
The role was created to cover short term absences and to avoid unnecessary regencies.
The criteria for being the Monarch’s Counsellor is that the member of royal family should be above 21 and a British citizen living in the UK.
Heir to the thrones can also become Counsellors from the age of 18.
However, some duties cannot be delegated to them, including Commonwealth matters, the creation of peers and appointing the Prime Minister.
The Counsellors also cannot carry out the Dissolving of Parliament, except if they have been expressly instructed by the King.
Beatrice, 34, is the fourth person in line to the throne aged over 21 so can take on the royal duties despite being ninth position overall. Left to right is Charles, Princess Eugenie, the Queen and Princess Beatrice in 2010
The new line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom following the Queen’s death
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