Counsellor of State

In the United Kingdom, the Councils of State ( Counsellors of State ) are a group of senior members of the British royal family. The British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II may delegate certain duties, rights and prerogatives of the Councils of State, when he is abroad or is otherwise prevented (such as a short-term illness). Any two state councilors may attend meetings of the Privy Council, government documents to sign or accept the recommendation letter new ambassador.

The position of the State Council was created with the Regency Act of 1937. The spouse of the monarch and the first four people in line to the throne are automatically Councils of State, if they meet the conditions. These be the same as for the monarch; they must (in the case of the heir apparent age of 18) be at least 21 years old and be British nationals resident in the United Kingdom. Only for Elizabeth Bowes -Lyon, the Queen Mother, an exception was made. After the Regency Act of 1953, she was again allowed to become State Councillor, even though she was not in line to the throne, nor was the wife of the current monarch.

The current state councils are Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles, Prince of Wales, Prince William of Wales, Prince Henry of Wales and Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

List of Councilors

This list is one in chronological order on all persons who have served as councilors of state or even serve.

  • Queen Mother Elizabeth (1937-1952, 1953-2002)
  • Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1937-1974)
  • Prince George, 1st Duke of Kent ( 1937-1942 )
  • Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood (1937-1962)
  • Princess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife ( 1937-1944 )
  • Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk (1942-1944)
  • George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood ( 1944-1951, 1952-1956 )
  • Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh (later Queen Elizabeth II ) ( 1944-1952 )
  • Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (1951-1985)
  • Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh ( since 1952)
  • Prince Edward, 2nd Duke of Kent ( 1956-1965 )
  • Prince William of Gloucester (1962-1971)
  • Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (1965-1966, 1974-1981)
  • Charles, Prince of Wales ( since 1966)
  • Anne, Princess Royal (1971-2003)
  • Prince Andrew, Duke of York (since 1981)
  • Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (1985-2005)
  • Prince William of Wales ( since 2003)
  • Prince Henry of Wales ( since 2005)
  • State Council (United Kingdom)
Monarchy of the United Kingdom Regency Acts Prince George, Duke of Kent Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood
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