If Law Doesn’t Change, It Could be Prince Andrew
“Mr. Speaker, The Queen commands this honourable House to attend her Counsellors of State immediately in the House of Peers.”
With those words, the Lady Usher of the Black Rod introduced two Counsellors of State to conduct the State Opening of Parliament for the first time. Prince Charles and his heir, Prince William, were appointed to act by The Queen just the day before. It was the first time in more than 200 years that a Prince of Wales delivered the opening speech on behalf of the Sovereign.
The role of “Counsellor of State” has been under scrutiny more than ever lately, between The Queen’s increasing frailty, and because of two people who still hold the position, none other than Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. Conceivably, they could have been appointed by The Queen to open Parliament. Imagine this photo of Charles and William, father and son, and replace it with Andrew and Harry. Preposterous, but as of this writing, still possible.
The role of Counsellor of State is defined in the 1937 Regency Act, and allows counsellors to act in place of the monarch if he or she is unable to attend official duties due to “illness or absence abroad”. Under current law, the position can be held by the Monarch’s spouse, and the next four adults (over the age of 21) in the line of Succession.
Two or more counsellors can carry out most Royal functions of the monarch, attending Privy Council meetings, receiving new ambassadors, and signing certain documents. They cannot appoint a Prime Minister, create peers, or dissolve Parliament without “express instruction” of the monarch.
With the passing of Prince Philip, and since the Cambridge children are still young, those four people remain Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Andrew, and Prince Harry. Andrew, a disgraced prince who was forced to step down from Royal work, and Harry, a prince who walked away from his role for a commercial life in California, and has spent much of the time since criticising the institution. They may be capable of fulfilling the duties, but it would hardly be suitable or appropriate.
It requires a change in law for Andrew and Harry to be removed as Counsellors of State, and for their replacements to be named. One frustrating point for many Royal observers, is that there are several capable and suitable Royal women in the wings, who could easily serve in the position.
First and most obvious, Camilla and Kate, The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duchess of Cambridge, both future Queen Consorts, spouses of future monarchs. Next, equally fitting, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, who has served the Crown tirelessly with distinction all her life. The last time two women stepped forward was 1974, when the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret acted as counsellors, and dissolved Parliament.
Some argue, “let sleeping dogs lie” for now, as there would never be a situation where The Prince of Wales or Prince William could not be returned to the country quickly should the need arise.
That, friends, is not the point.
Either the role of Counsellor of State means something or it doesn’t. To say it’s an important duty, but at the same time allow disgraced and even exiled family members to hold it, is an absurd contradiction. It makes a mockery of the position and its significance. Frankly, it cheapens the institution of monarchy. Republicans will quickly point out that a politician who abandoned or was forced out of his seat, would not be allowed to return to assume an emergency role in time of crisis.
If laws must be changed, change them. And the need has never been more immediate, The Queen’s current health demands it.
The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, and The Princess Royal are more than qualified and distinguished candidates. It is absurd, and frankly more than a little sexist, to think two (male) former working members of the family can still hold the position, over women who are here and doing their jobs with honour.
It’s time to change the law and name new Counsellors of State. Unless you want to see Prince Andrew taking centre stage at an important event. Is that likely? No. But as long as the law stands, it’s certainly possible.