KING Charles’ snub to Prince Andrew on his first birthday as monarch was “no coincidence at all”, an expert said.
His Majesty kickstarted a “seriously necessary change” to put another nail in the coffin against the Duke of York returning to public life, Richard Fitzwilliams added.
King Charles’ snub to Prince Andrew was ‘no coincidence’, an expert said
Public opinion is solidly against Prince Andrew, Mr Fitzwilliams added
Yesterday King Charles said he would be “most content” to widen a pool of Counsellors of State, who can carry out constitutional roles in his absence.
His siblings the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal can now take up the role. Previously, just Princes Harry and Andrew had the status.
Mr Fitzwilliams told the Mirror: “This is a very good example of King Charles making an extremely sensible necessary decision, very early in his reign and the fact it’s announced on his birthday is no accident.
“The news breaking on his birthday says it all.
CHANGE UP
Harry and Andrew snubbed as King Charles reveals big promotions for Edward & Anne
“Since Andrew is in disgrace and that is most unlikely to change, the situation had been perilous.
He continued: “Public opinion is solidly against Andrew and there is absolutely no chance according to all reports.
“The king is absolute on the issue and so is Prince William. That is that.”
Royal expert Angela Levin also told The Celeb Report that Prince Harry will feel snubbed by the change.
Writing to the House of Lords, King Charles said he would be “most content” if the number of Counsellors of State “be increased to include my brother and sister, the Princess Royal and Earl of Wessex.”
The statement read: “To ensure continued efficiency of public business when I’m unavailable, such as while I’m undertaking official duties overseas, I confirm that I would be most content should Parliament see fit for the number of people who may be called upon to act as counsellors of State under the terms of the Regency acts 1937 to 1963 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 was previously reported that Charles was considering changing the law so counsellors of the state are only working members of the Royal Family.
Both Harry and Andrew remain Counsellors of State under British law, although the pair are no longer working royals.
Back in October, the House of Lords called for a “sensible amendment” because Harry lives 5,000-miles away in California and disgraced Andy has been dispatched from public life under a sex abuse cloud.
Andrew was stripped of his royal roles in February but has been a Counsellor of State since his 21st birthday in 1981 and Harry since September 2005, when he reached the same age.
Viscount Stansgate previously told the House of Lords there must be a change to the Regency Act now Charles is King.
He said: “Otherwise, are the Government happy to continue with a situation where the counsels of state and regency powers may be exercised by the Duke of York or the Duke of Sussex, one of whom has left public life and the other of whom has left the country?
“Is it not time for the Government to approach the King to see whether a sensible amendment can be made to this Act?”
Queen Elizabeth II had not been abroad since 2015 but the King, Queen Consort and Prince of Wales are all expected to embark on Coronation tours of the world next year.
Princess Margaret and Queen Mother filled in for the former Queen in the 1970s when she was on official tours.
King Charles celebrated his first birthday as reigning monarch with this touching new photo
