LONDON | Charles III is preparing to change British law to prevent Princes Harry and Andrew, withdrawn from the royal family, from taking over when he is sick or abroad, local media reported on Thursday.
• Read also: Prince Harry will publish his memoirs in January 2023
• Read also: A majority of federal elected officials want to maintain ties with the British monarchy
According to a law of 1937, the monarch can be replaced for certain tasks, such as the signing of official documents during his absences by his husband or wife and by the first four adults in the order of succession.
- Listen to the Martineau – Dutrizac meeting broadcast live every day at 11:23 a.m. via QUB-radio :
For Charles, they are Queen Consort Camilla, her sons William and Harry, her brother Andrew and her niece Beatrice.
But Harry walked away from the royal family and moved to the United States after tensions with his brother and father. Prince Andrew has been deprived of any role with the “Royals” after accusations of sexual assault. Beatrice, eldest daughter, of Andrew, is not a ‘working’ member of the royal family.
AFP
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
To prevent one of the two fallen princes from having to act as the king – especially when he is traveling with Camilla and William is also abroad – the list of people who can replace him should be expanded, according to several media , to include Princess Anne and Prince Edward, sister and brother of Charles III.
This solution makes it possible not to use Harry and Andrew without formally excluding them.
According to Telegrama change in the law could take place “in the coming weeks” and is “a logical step” before the foreign trips planned by Charles and Camilla in 2023.
Buckingham Palace did not react but the subject was raised in the House of Lords on Monday, with MP Stephen Benn wondering if it was “not time to discuss with the king an amendment” of the law .
“Or does the situation suit the government” with a prince “who has left public life” and another “who has left the country”?
“The government will always study the necessary arrangements,” replied the Conservative Lord Nicholas True, stressing that the accession to the throne of a monarch was a good opportunity to re-study the text.
- Listen to the Durocher-Dutrizac meeting broadcast live every day at 12:45 p.m. via QUB-radio :
During the interim, the “state advisers” can perform most of the sovereign’s official obligations (sign documents, receive ambassadors, hold meetings).
Prior to Elizabeth II’s death in September, Charles stood in for her on numerous occasions, including during the very solemn Speech from the Throne to Parliament in May.