He is one of five counsellors of state
While he remains stripped of his military patronages and unable to use the HRH title, it seems Prince Andrew may have a Royal role in the new monarch’s upcoming reign.
Under the 1937 Regency act, King Charles III must appoint five Counsellors of State to stand in for him when he is unwell or out of the U.K.
They are his spouse, Camilla, Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the next four in succession to the crown who are aged 21 or over.
This includes Prince Andrew, who ranks fourth behind, Prince William, Prince Harry but just before new addition Prince Beatrice, his daughter.
Despite pressure to replace Harry and Andrew with other working royals, under Queen Elizabeth II the Counsellors of State were her husband, Prince Philip (until his death in April 2021), as well as Charles, William, Harry, and Andrew.
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Last year, the Duke of York stepped down from public life following scrutiny over his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He reached a £12 million out-of-court settlement with alleged victim of Epstein’s child sex trafficking ring Virginia Giuffre in March. He admitted no admission of liability and continues to strongly deny the claims.
The Queen’s second son has adopted a more visible role in the past few days, which is expected to end following her state funeral on Monday.
On Monday, his presence was met with some criticism, with one heckler appearing to brand Prince Andrew a “sick old man” as he walked behind his mother’s coffin in Edinburgh.
BREAKING: Prince Andrew heckled by a protester during Queen’s coffin procession pic.twitter.com/dtoJxtiqOU
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) September 12, 2022
His comments were met with opposition from the crowd, who chanted “God Save the King”.
The 22-year old man was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with a “breach of the peace” on the Royal Mile.
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