By Ben Kerrigan-
King Charles has asked parliament to include Princess Anne and Prince Edward, to the list of people who can deputise for him for official duties.
The news comes as festivities for the King’s birthday began o Monday with a rendition of Happy Birthday by the band of the Household Cavalry at Buckingham Palace, where Charles was born in 1948. This performance was followed at midday by a 41-gun royal salute from the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park.
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In a statement signed by the King and read to the House of Lords, he says he would be “most content” if his sister and brother could become Counsellors of State.
The message from the King was read to the House of Lords by Lord Chamberlain, Lord Parker of Minsmere, former head of MI5, who is the most senior official in the royal household.
“To ensure continued efficiency of public business when I’m unavailable, such as while I’m undertaking official duties overseas, I can confirm that I would be most content should Parliament see fit for the number of people who may be called upon to act as CoS under the terms of the Regency Act 1937-1953 to be increased to include my sister and brother, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex and Forfar, both of whom have previously undertaken this role,” it said.
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There are currently five Counsellors of State, including Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, both of whom no longer carry out official royal. The other counsellors of state are Camilla, the Queen Consort.
Her majesty’s request was read to the House of Lords on Monday, which could tomorrow see the government introducing legislation in the House of Commons, with a Counsellors of State Bill paving the way for the King’s proposal for two extra working substitutes.
The King said the changes would “ensure continued efficiency of public business, when I’m unavailable. Such as while I’m undertaking official duties overseas.”
Counsellors can carry out constitutional duties if the monarch is ill or working abroad.
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