As a result of her advancement in the line of succession, Princess Beatrice can now fill in for King Charles as a “counsellor of state” following the death of the Queen.
The five senior royals who will serve as Counsellors to the new Monarch, 73, have changed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle on Thursday, September 8.
The Times said that the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew is now ninth in line to the throne and can assume Charles’ formal duties if he is ill or away.
The legislation allows the sovereign’s spouse – currently Queen Consort Camilla – and the next four individuals over the age of 21 in the line of succession to fill his shoes.
Princess Beatrice (seen at Ascot) can now fill in for King Charles as “counsellor of state” in the wake of the Queen’s passing as she rose up the succession line.
The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew (seen on the right at the National Service of Thanksgiving on June 3) is now ninth in line to the throne and can assume Charles’ formal duties if he is ill or overseas.
Beatrice, age 34, is the fourth person in line to the throne who is beyond the age of 21, hence she can assume royal duties despite being ninth in line.
Queen Consort Camilla, Prince William, The Duke of Sussex, and The Duke of York are the other royals who can assume these roles.
How is Beatrice permitted to serve as a state counselor despite being tenth in line of succession?
The legislation allows the sovereign’s spouse and the next four people in line to the throne who are over the age of 21 to stand in for the king.
Beatrice is the fourth individual above the age of 21 following Prince William, The Duke of Sussex, and The Duke of York.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie, and Lilibet are all under the age of 21, and hence cannot represent King Charles III at official engagements.
The Princess wed real estate developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020, and their daughter Sienna, who is less than a year old but ninth in line to the throne, is less than a year old.
Rarely are counsellors of state required, but Charles and William stood in for the Queen for the state opening of Parliament in May.
The functions of counsellors of state are codified by the Regency Acts of 1937-1953.
In 1936, when the Queen’s father, King George VI, ascended to the position of head of state, a new Regency Act codified the position of Counsellor of State.
This position was established to cover short-term absences and to eliminate needless regulations.
A member of the royal family must be at least 21 years old and a British citizen residing in the UK to qualify as the Monarch’s Counsellor.
At the age of 18, heirs to the thrones can also become Counsellors.
However, certain responsibilities cannot be outsourced to them, notably Commonwealth matters, the appointment of the Prime Minister, and the formation of peers.
The Counsellors are likewise prohibited from dissolving the Parliament unless specifically commanded by the King.
Beatrice, age 34, is the fourth person in line to the throne who is beyond the age of 21, therefore she can assume royal responsibilities despite being ninth in line overall. In 2010, Charles, Princess Eugenie, the Queen, and Princess Beatrice are pictured from left to right.
The new line of succession to the British throne upon the death of the Queen.
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