King Charles-Prince Harry: The list of people who could be asked to serve as Councillors of State will include Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Anne, Princess Royal.

As King Charles III continues to undergo cancer treatment and steps back from some of his public duties, the British monarchy is quietly planning for scenarios in which the sovereign may be unable to carry out his responsibilities — either temporarily or more permanently. However, one thing is now clear: Prince Harry will not be among those called upon to stand in for the King, despite being fifth in line to the throne.

The House of Lords has been formally informed that the Duke of Sussex — along with Prince Andrew, Duke of York — will not serve as a Councillor of State, the group of senior royals authorized to act on behalf of the monarch when he is abroad or medically incapacitated.

King Charles-Prince Harry: Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, as he attends the state funeral and burial of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, in London, Britain.(Reuters)

What Are Councillors of State?

Councillors of State are senior royals designated to carry out constitutional duties in the monarch’s absence. These duties include attending Privy Council meetings, signing state documents, and receiving new ambassadors. Traditionally, the role is assigned to the sovereign’s spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21.

That list would, under normal circumstances, include Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice. However, royal protocols are adapting to reflect a more streamlined and actively working monarchy.

Who Can Fill In for the King Now?

Instead of relying on Harry and Andrew — both of whom are no longer “working royals” — Buckingham Palace has proposed a new list of eligible Councillors of State. This updated list includes:

Queen Camilla (as spouse of the monarch)

Prince William, the Prince of Wales

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh

These senior royals remain active members of “The Firm,” regularly attending official engagements and carrying out public duties on behalf of the crown.

This change has been described as a “safety net” — a pragmatic constitutional move ensuring that only royals actively representing the monarchy are given the power to act in the King’s name during times of absence or illness.

Why Prince Harry Is Not Included

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, officially stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in early 2020, moving to California in search of a more private and financially independent life. Since then, the couple has given explosive interviews and launched projects that have strained their relationship with the monarchy.

In particular, their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey included accusations of racism and emotional neglect within the royal family. The couple claimed that a senior royal questioned the potential skin color of their then-unborn son, Archie. The fallout from this — paired with the release of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare and the couple’s Netflix docuseries — led to a notable cooling of relations with the rest of the royal family.

While Harry retains his royal titles and remains in the line of succession, he no longer performs royal duties, represents the monarchy, or receives funding from the Sovereign Grant. As such, he is not considered an appropriate candidate to fulfill the constitutional responsibilities of a Councillor of State.

The Same Applies to Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew has also been excluded from the list — largely due to his ongoing controversies related to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After public backlash, Andrew stepped down from all public roles in 2019 and was stripped of his military titles and patronages by Queen Elizabeth II in early 2022.

Like Harry, Andrew is still technically in the line of succession and a Counsellor of State under the original rules. However, Parliament is expected to enact formal changes to ensure he is not called upon in any official capacity.

Public and Political Response

The decision to exclude non-working royals from such vital roles has been widely supported by the public and within government circles. During a discussion in the House of Lords, peers welcomed the move as a necessary update to an outdated rule, ensuring that the monarch’s constitutional duties are only entrusted to individuals who are actively engaged in public service.

Lord True, Lord Privy Seal, noted during the discussion, “This is a sensible and pragmatic solution to ensure the continuity of constitutional government.”

Impact on the Sussexes’ Image

This development comes just as Prince Harry and Meghan are preparing to accept the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award for their advocacy against “structural racism” — including their stance against the British royal family’s power dynamics.

Their public reception of this award reinforces their positioning as global humanitarian figures and social justice advocates. However, it also underscores the widening gap between them and the traditional roles and expectations of the royal family.

Their vocal criticism of the institution has led to polarized public opinion in the UK, with some supporting their outspokenness, while others see their continued use of royal titles as inappropriate.

Where Does This Leave the Monarchy?

With King Charles temporarily scaling back duties due to his cancer diagnosis, the royal family is adjusting to a new normal — one in which a streamlined royal team takes the reins of constitutional and ceremonial responsibilities. Queen Camilla has taken on a larger role, and Prince William is preparing for a future that may arrive sooner than anticipated.

By focusing on those actively serving the Crown, the royal institution aims to project stability and responsibility in a time of change. Though the King remains committed to his duties as much as his health allows, contingency planning ensures that the monarchy remains functional — even in his absence.

The exclusion of Prince Harry and Prince Andrew from any potential role as temporary stand-ins for King Charles is not only a reflection of current royal values but also a sign of how the monarchy continues to evolve. It’s clear that loyalty to duty — not just blood — determines who holds power within the palace walls.

While Prince Harry’s journey has taken him in a direction that challenges traditional expectations, the institution he left behind remains anchored in its centuries-old structure. Whether that structure can continue to modernize while maintaining its core principles is the question that will define the future of the British monarchy.