Counsellors of State: Who They Are and Their Role
Counsellors of State
By law, Counsellors of State include the Sovereign's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 18. Their role is to exercise the Sovereign's official duties when the Sovereign is absent or temporarily incapacitated.
Appointment and Powers
If the Sovereign is temporarily incapacitated or absent from the UK, the monarch can appoint Counsellors of State. There must always be at least two Counsellors of State in the UK, and no more than five.
Counsellors of State have the power to carry out most of the Sovereign's official functions, including signing official documents, receiving foreign dignitaries, and attending state events.
Current Counsellors of State
The current Counsellors of State are:
- The Prince of Wales (heir to the throne)
- The Duke of Cambridge (second in line to the throne)
- The Duchess of Cornwall (wife of the Prince of Wales)
- The Duke of York (third in line to the throne)
- The Princess Royal (daughter of the Queen)
Conclusion
In conclusion, Counsellors of State play a vital role in ensuring the continuity of the monarchy by exercising the Sovereign's official duties in their absence or temporary incapacity. They are appointed by the Sovereign and must always include the monarch's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 18.
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