The reason Prince Harry will ‘never’ step in for King Charles after rule change

Prince Harry and Prince Andrew were both removed from the official list of Counsellors of State in 2022, with new rules stating that only working royals would be called upon

In 2020, the world watched as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the bold move to renounce their senior Royal roles and begin anew in the United States.

While Prince Harry still holds his spot in the succession line, this geographical leap, coupled with formal agreements, effectively invalidated his potential to partake in the official capacities that befit a senior Royal. Should a circumstance arise where the monarch requires assistance due to temporary incapacity or an absence from the UK, they rely on appointed Counsellors of State. These designated individuals can operate on behalf of the sovereign as authorized by Letters Patent, reports the Express.

Currently holding the titles of Counsellors of State, both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew have shifted away from their Royal responsibilities and are no longer expected to fulfill such duties.

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Typically, the role of Counsellor of State is bestowed upon the spouse of the reigning sovereign, followed by the first four in line for the throne who are over 21 years of age. Before additional amendments, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice served under these auspices.

The House of Lords saw Lord True present the second reading of the Counsellors of State Bill 2022-23 on November 21, 2022. Lord True pointed out the Royal Household’s guidance that, from now on, only “working members of the Royal Family will be called on to act as Counsellors of State.”

This bill was officially enacted in December 2022.

The BBC has revealed that the legislation was rapidly advanced through Parliament to dodge an “awkward constitutional problem” that arose just as King Charles ascended the throne, following Prince Harry and Prince Andrew’s retreat from their Royal duties.

With the departure of Harry and Andrew from their official positions, the consensus in Parliament leaned towards enlarging the circle with two additional individuals qualified to deputize for King Charles.

Counsellors are endowed with the power to perform regal functions, whether it be the ceremonial launching of Parliament, signing vital papers, hosting diplomats, or partaking in Privy Council meet-ups, particularly when the sovereign faces temporary illness or is away.

With a cancer diagnosis in early 2024, King Charles found himself depending increasingly on Princess Anne and Prince Edward for support.

Speaking with The Times, Dr Craig Prescott, a lecturer specializing in constitutional law at Royal Holloway, University of London, remarked: “The point of adding this statement that only working royals would called on to act as counsellors of state was a way of dealing with the situation in the simplest way possible.

“It might have been viewed as malice against Harry otherwise, so in many respects, it was the most elegant way to do it.”

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