Enlarge image
King Charles III
Photo: i-Images / Pool / imago images/i Images
The British King Charles III.
According to media reports, he wants to increase the number of his official representatives so that he will no longer be dependent on his brother Andrew or his younger son Harry in the event of his absence.
For different reasons, both are no longer “working royals”, i.e. they do not appear publicly on behalf of the Royal Family.
Nevertheless, both continue to serve as "counselors of state" on the Council of State, the body made up of family members who represent the king should the head of state be unable to attend.
The fact that Andrew, who fell out of favor for his involvement in a sexual abuse scandal, or Harry, who voluntarily gave up his royal duties when he moved to the United States, could stand in for Charles on official occasions has met with criticism in the country.
Therefore, the 73-year-old monarch plans to reform the relevant law to include his brother Edward and sister Anne on the list of representatives.
This is reported by the BBC and the newspaper »The Daily Telegraph«.
Currently, the Regency Act, introduced in 1937, provides for five Councils of State.
These are the monarch's spouse and the next four adults over the age of 21 in line to the throne.
Since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, these are King's wife Camilla, heir to the throne Prince William as the eldest son of Charles, Harry, Andrew and his eldest daughter Princess Beatrice.
If the monarch is ill or absent, he can delegate some of his duties to two of these councillors.
For the dear peace's sake
A longer list of representatives would allow the Palace to bypass Harry and Andrew without outright excluding them.
Because: Removing the two from the Council of State is also considered impossible.
Despite all the scandals, Andrew was considered the favorite son of Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II. With Harry, it's a little more complicated.
Relations between Charles and his younger son are considered strained.
The 38-year-old had repeatedly attacked his father in particular when he and his wife, Duchess Meghan, accused the palace of a lack of empathy.
Harry's biography is also scheduled to appear on January 10th.
According to the media, the Queen's grandson hastily revised and toned down the book, which had already been expected in the fall, after the death of his grandmother on September 8th.
The New York Times reported that he had "cold feet" several times.
Nevertheless, »Spare« should cause a stir.
This is already suggested by the title, which probably alludes mainly to the old saying "an heir and a spare" - which in this case would refer to Prince William and Prince Harry .
sak/dpa/AFP