Prince Harry finds himself in a whirlwind of unexpected developments as King Charles III introduces a new ban affecting his royal responsibilities.
Alongside Prince Andrew, Harry is confronted with potential alterations to their roles, with the House of Lords set to deliberate on a motion seeking to prohibit them from serving as secretaries of state.
The proposed amendment to the upcoming Council of State Bill aims to exclude royals who have not actively engaged in royal duties over the past two years.
Despite speculations, a cabinet source clarified that neither the government nor Buckingham Palace intends to oust either prince from their positions as councillors of state.
Labour peer Viscount Stansgate emphasized the importance of addressing this matter at the House of Lords, advocating for a pragmatic amendment in collaboration with the king.
In a surprising turn of events, Prince Edward’s long-awaited ascension to the title of Duke of Edinburgh has been thwarted, contrary to the promise made by Queen Elizabeth II before her passing.
Instead, King Charles III has decided to retain the title for himself, refraining from utilizing it as part of his vision for a more streamlined monarchy, as disclosed by a courtier.
The late Queen and Prince Philip had previously assured Prince Edward that he would inherit the prestigious title upon his father’s demise, particularly following his marriage to Sophie Wessex in 1999.
However, the monarch’s strategic move to streamline the monarchy led to the decision to withhold the title from Prince Edward, considering its hereditary nature and future implications for their son, James Viscount VII.
Notably, Buckingham Palace released a statement after Prince Edward’s wedding affirming the agreement among the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales regarding the eventual transition of the Duke of Edinburgh title to Prince Edward.
This development followed King Charles’s initiative to expand his circle of councillors of state to encompass Prince Edward and Princess Anne, enabling them to deputize for him during his absences or illnesses.
In a letter addressed to the House of Lords, King Charles expressed his preference for including his siblings, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex, as additional councillors of state.
This strategic move aimed to prevent the necessity of involving Prince Harry or Prince Andrew in such responsibilities.
Additionally, there were discussions about potentially restricting the eligibility for councillors of state to active members of the royal family, signaling a shift in the traditional protocol.
While there have been discussions about empowering the monarch to revoke royal titles through a private members bill, the likelihood of such legislation materializing remains uncertain.
Royal correspondent Richard Palmer highlighted the reluctance of King Charles and the government to support such proposals, especially concerning the removal of titles from individuals like Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, who are currently inactive in their royal duties.
MP Rachel Maskell’s forthcoming private members bill in parliament seeks to address concerns regarding Prince Andrew’s title as the Duke of York, reflecting the sentiments of her constituents.
However, the prospects of this bill progressing into law hinge on governmental endorsement, which is currently lacking due to the king’s reservations about further disgracing his brother and youngest son, Prince Harry.
The intricate dynamics surrounding royal titles underscore the complexities involved in amending established protocols within the monarchy, requiring careful consideration and consensus among key stakeholders.