King Charles’ unexpected decision amid royal shake-up

The new King revealed an unexpected decision about Prince Harry and Prince Andrew’s future as he made some key changes to the royal family.

King Charles has decided not to strip Andrew and Harry from a major royal role – and also appointed Prince Edward and Princess Anne to the post.

The royal family shake-up has seen the King widen a pool of “Counsellors of State”, who carry out constitutional roles when he is abroad or unwell, reports The Sun.

The Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal are now officially able to take on the role in the King’s absence.

Princes Harry and Andrew have also managed to retain the status, despite previous reports that they were expected to stripped of it.

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Prince Andrew and Prince Harry were expected to be stripped of their roles. Picture: Kate Green/Pool/AFP

Writing to the House of Lords, King Charles said: “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 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 in California and disgraced Andrew has stepped back from public duties.

King Charles has proposed Anne and Edward as additional Counsellors of State. Picture: Chris Jackson/Buckingham Palace/AFP

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 the Queen Mother filled in for the former Queen in the 1970s when she was on official tours.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission