Counsellors of State

In the event that The King cannot undertake his official duties as Sovereign on a temporary basis due to illness or absence abroad, two or more Counsellors of State are appointed by Letters Patent to act in His Majesty's place.

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 21.

Counsellors of State are authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the Sovereign, for example, attending Privy Council meetings, signing routine documents and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors to the United Kingdom. However, there are a number of core constitutional functions that may not be delegated:

  • Commonwealth matters
  • The dissolving of Parliament, except on His Majesty's express instruction
  • The creation of peers
  • Appointing a Prime Minister

History of Counsellors of State

The position of Counsellor of State was provided for in 1937 under the terms of the Regency Act. Prior to 1937, Regency Acts were drafted and passed only in necessity. As such, there had been nine separate Regency Acts to cover various eventualities since 1728. Shortly after George VI came to the throne in 1936, a new Regency Act was passed which provided a rule for all future reigns. It was at this time that the new office of Counsellor of State was created to cover short term absences where a regency would be unnecessary.

Current Counsellors of State

Counsellors of State are appointed from among the four adults next in succession (provided they have reached the age of 21).

The current Counsellors of State are The Queen Consort, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Sussex, The Duke of York and Princess Beatrice.

Related content

The King's speech at the French Senate

Today, in confronting the greatest challenges of our time, we continue the work of those who came before us. When General de Gaulle spoke to the French people from London in...

21 September 2023

The King's speech during the State Banquet at Versailles

Mr. President, in all of this we can rely on our firm friendship, which is renewed and reinvigorated with each new generation.

20 September 2023
News

State Visit to France

20 September 2023
The King and Queen in Paris

The King's message of condolence following the devastation caused by Storm Daniel.

I admire greatly all those who are engaged tirelessly in the rescue efforts in such dire conditions, and praise their selfless bravery.

14 September 2023
Press release 06 September 2023

The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to France

Read more

The King's message regarding the states of emergency declared in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia

Our admiration is unbounded for the tireless work of local officials, volunteers and first responders.

23 August 2023

The King's message to the Lionesses following the result of the World Cup final

To have reached the final at all is an immense tribute to your skill, determination and team spirit in the finest sporting tradition.

20 August 2023

The King's message to President Biden following the devastation caused by the wildfires in Hawai’i

Dear Mr. President, My wife and I were utterly horrified to hear of the catastrophic wildfires currently burning in Maui, Hawai’i. We can only begin to imagine the scale of...

12 August 2023

A message from The King to mark The Bahamas' 50th anniversary of independence

From Andros to San Salvador, Eleuthera to Inagua, Grand Bahama to Nassau and across the beautiful family islands of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, my wife and I send you all our...

10 July 2023

The King's message to mark Armed Forces Day 2023

Today provides a particularly valuable opportunity to acknowledge publicly the selfless service and sacrifice made each day by our Armed Forces personnel

24 June 2023

The King's Address to the Nation and The Commonwealth

Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you...

09 September 2022

A Speech by His Majesty The King at the presentation of the new Sovereign’s Standard to The Blues and Royals at Buckingham Palace

As your Colonel-in-Chief, I know that your Colonel, The Princess Royal, joins me in thanking you all for your unlimited commitment and service, as well as your families for...

15 June 2023