While King Charles III, Prince William and Kate and the Sussexes were in Windsor and London this weekend, the rest of the royal family gathered at Balmoral to say their final goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth II privately, before her body was moved to Edinburgh. Those family members briefly stepped out in Aberdeen, outside of the Balmoral estate, to look at the flowers and tributes to the Queen. The Duke of York was there with his two daughters, the Earl and Countess of Wessex were there with Lady Louise and Princess Anne and her two adult children (plus her husband Tim) were also there. At one point, Eugenie clearly burst into tears as she read some of the cards. Her father put his arm around her and the two embraced. Princess Anne came and checked on her too.
Out of all of them, I honestly extend my sympathies most to Anne and the York princesses. Eugenie and Beatrice were said to be exceptionally close to their grandmother, and Anne was also exceptionally close to both of her parents. To lose her mother and father within about 18 months of each other… Anne is probably feeling that extra hard. I’m sure Edward and Andrew are taking it hard too, to be clear. But I really feel for Anne, the only daughter, her parents’ rock.
Because of all of the shifts in the line of succession, that means that some members of the family are getting some extra status. Take Princess Beatrice, the oldest York princess. She’s now ninth in line to the throne behind her father, who is absolutely not going to be allowed back “in” with Charles in charge. King Charles will allow his brother to be part of QEII’s funeral and public mourning and then Andrew will (hopefully) be shuffled off somewhere and never heard of again. But Beatrice has made it clear that she wants some kind of role in the Firm, and according to the Telegraph, that might happen.
Princess Beatrice is expected to become one of four counsellors of state, allowing her to stand in for the King if he is abroad or incapacitated. Under the 1937 Regency Act, the spouse of a monarch and the four adults next in line to the throne can be deployed as counsellors of state on official business.
Queen Elizabeth II had four Counsellors of State – the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of York – with the Duke of Edinburgh also acting as one before his death.
Buckingham Palace has been under pressure to eject Prince Harry and Prince Andrew from their roles and install other adult members of the working Royal family in their places. Prince Harry can technically still act as a counsellor because he retains a UK address at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor, despite living in California, which he now calls home.
Prince Andrew’s effective sacking as a working royal over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and a civil court case in which he was accused of sexually abusing sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre, prompted questions about whether he should still be permitted to perform the role.
Beatrice works for software company Afiniti as vice president for strategy and partnerships and although not an official working royal, does carry out occasional engagements. In this new role, she would be authorised to attend Privy Council meetings, sign routine documents and receive the credentials of new ambassadors to the UK. The Queen is now eligible to become a counsellor of state as the King’s wife.
It was said that Queen Elizabeth II never got around to updating her counsellors of state because Charles would just have to choose new counsellors anyway. I strongly suspect that Beatrice won’t actually be chosen, if King Charles gets his way. I suspect King Charles will choose: Queen Camilla, the new Prince of Wales, Princess Anne and maybe Prince Edward. Edward would definitely get it before Beatrice, I suspect, regardless of the line of succession.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- (Left-right back) Princess Eugenie, the Princess Royal, Peter Phillips, Sir Timothy Laurence, Zara Tindall (left-right front) Princess Beatrice and the Duke of York view the messages and floral tributes left by members of the public at Balmoral in Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721402915, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- The Duke of York, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice (right) view the messages and floral tributes left by members of the public Balmoral in Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721405561, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Owen Humphreys / Avalon
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- (Left-right) Princess Beatrice, Lady Louise Windsor, the Countess of Wessex, Peter Phillips, the Duke of York, Zara Tindall, the Earl of Wessex and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence gesture to well-wishers outside Balmoral in Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721405600, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Owen Humphreys / Avalon
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- (Left-right) Princess Beatrice, the Duke of York, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and the Countess of Wessex view the messages and floral tributes left by members of the public at Balmoral in Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721405619, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Owen Humphreys / Avalon
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- The Duke of York and Princess Beatrice leave Balmoral in Scotland for a service at Crathie Kirk, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721406631, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- Princess Beatrice attends a service at Crathie Kirk, Balmoral in Scotland, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721406656, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- Princess Eugenie (left) and Princess Beatrice attend a service at Crathie Kirk, Balmoral in Scotland, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721406666, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- (left to right) Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal, the Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, the Countess of Wessex and Princess Eugenie and on a walkabout to thank members of the public at Balmoral in Scotland following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. Picture date: Saturday September 10, 2022. . .,Image: 721406793, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
I agree with Camilla, William, Anne, and Edward, but I still think he’d be wise to give Beatrice something official to do. So long as she stays low drama and doesn’t compete for power, she can fill a much needed patronage role in the monarchy.
The question wouldn’t be whether or not Bea herself could stay low drama but whether or not the BM and RF would scapegoat her. She would be ripe for that being PA’s and Fergie’s daughter and married to a man with a child by another woman. She would be wise to run.
She would be completely wise to run.
There’s an Anne role that she COULD fill. Someone to wear the boring clothes and do the boring events and rack up the annual numbers to make the whole firm look productive. Would she be interested in such an unglamorous job? Unsure.
But you’re right, she’s too young and interesting for the press to resist. Once the BM starts demanding their pound of flesh again, her scapegoat number would be up sooner rather than later.
The next time Andrew does something, the poop would fly onto Beatrice as well. Unfortunately by virtue of being his kid, any shit that flies about is going to taint her being allowed to do any royal jobs.
Beatrice became famous for how many vacations and how little work (at her job) she did. Kaiser wrote covered it years ago, 17 vacations in 9 months at a cost of $460,000 as a 27 year old. She is very much her parent’s daughter. Of course she’s changed, she wants to be a working royal and she wants her dad reinstated as a working royal. I saw her pics at several festivals, all the garden parties, and many days of Ascot over the summer and it reminded me.
I’m sure Beatrice and Eugenie are grieving hard for their grandmother, who seemed to have far healthier relationships with her grandchildren than her children. I’m also sure that Charles will remove Harry as a counselor of state (“as they build their lives overseas”). I don’t see any possibility that he appoints Beatrice or any York. His slimmed down monarchy will NOT include them. I’m more interested to see if he gives Edward the DoE title, and, if he does, it’s entirely likely he’ll be appointed counselor of state to go with it.
Are they describing Bea’s part-time “working” royal job? But, but, that’s NOT done.
” although not an official working royal, does carry out occasional engagement”
Soooo….she’s part-time? Half in/ Half out? Makes her own money but still represented the Queen at certain events? Huh. You don’t say.
Anyway, I do feel bad for the family, they lost both parents/grandparents within 18 months of each other, that’s hard, even if they’re approaching 100. I thought it was interesting they all went up to Balmoral after the Queen passed, and didn’t just go straight to Edinburgh or stay in London or something. Maybe they just wanted time to be together as a family and mourn?
I’m not sure if Charles gets to choose who his counsellors of state will be or if it has to be the consort and then the next 4 adults in the line of succession. If so, then Beatrice will be one as will Andrew and Harry until the Cambridge children grow up. Personally, I would rather see Anne and Edward in place of Beatrice and Andrew.
According to the royal website, by law, it’s the spouse and the four first in line of succession. In a day and age with video chat and things can be carried out remotely, is it really necessary?
That’s my take too, she’s automatically a counsellor. But, it looks like to do any official duties, you need a minimum of only two (though there can be more). Also, it doesn’t look like they have to be chosen in any particular order, and even if it did, it would still be Camilla and Will first. Harry, Andrew, and Beatrice could be left out of it. I believe once George turns 18 he’ll precede Harry and knock out Beatrice (he’s an heir, the others have to be 21).
I do believe counsellors have to be “domiciled” in the UK, but if you look at tax laws, that’s a complicated and very loose concept, and how much you actually have to be physically living in the UK seems open to interpretation.
So Princess Bea can have a job and still carry out royal duties? But Harry and Meghan were thrown out for even considering such a thing.
Yeah, but those in charge don’t WANT Beatrice to be a full time royal. H&M were technically wanted to be full time originally.
Is this even important? Do the counsellors actually do anything?
I forget what they do, it’s along the lines of “if the queen/king is incapacitated, the counsellors can/may step in.”
Did anyone else see the video clip where Andrew is “comforting” Eugenie and then cops a feel of her ass? I won’t post it but it’s horrifying. Happens right after the above still image.
OMG I didn’t want to bring it up as it was SO GROSS, but it wasn’t just “copping a feel”, he ran his FINGERS DOWN HER BUTT CRACK! Gotta wonder since she didn’t jump if that is “normal” for that family, in that he’s *always* done it, so what’s the fuss, it’s *just dad’s way*?
God, Pedo is beyond disgusting!
Also, Pedo WILL be allowed to wear his uniform at the funeral, but Harry, of course, is not. I wish H&M would say a private goodbye to Liz, and grab each other’s hand and RUN the hell out of that place for good.
That was BEYOND REPULSIVE!! It was watching a Predator, in real time, running his hands on autopilot all over the body of any woman in his vicinity. Unreal 🤮
Ewwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!
I did see it. It was revolting.
He is disgusting.
Yes, it’s ghastly! And so reminiscent of Trump’s public creeping on Ivanka. Birds of a gross feather.
I mean the press want Beatrice to have a bigger role even to become a working royal but she’s not going to be made a Counsellor of State. I think Kaiser’s line up is going to be one that Charles chooses.
I don’t buy it a bit that a child of Andrew’s is going to be allowed to do anything more royal than what they got now, honestly. What if there’s some other scandal, even if Beatrice doesn’t do anything?
I mean, according to the rules Beatrice should have already been a Counsellor of State because the role is meant to be fulfilled by the sovereign’s spouse (if living) and the first four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21 (with the exception of the heir, who steps into the role at 18) and reside in the UK. So at the time of the Queen’s death, the Counsellors should have been Charles, William, Andrew, and Beatrice, and should now be Camilla, William, Andrew, Beatrice, and Eugenie.
An exception to the rules was made for the Queen Mother, who would have ceased to be a CoS after the death of George VI, but was allowed to remain in the role for the remainder of her life.
@JustSaying The Queen’s The Councillors of State were Charles, William, Harry and Andrew. The BM like to pretend Harry and Andrew don’t exist (except when they want to bash Harry). Chuck3’s are Camilla with the next four in the line of succession being William, Harry, Andrew and Beatrice until he finds a way to change that.
@Chantal: Yes, I know that Charles, William, Harry, Andrew were the listed Counsellors at the time of the Queen’s death. What I’m saying is that according to the Regency Act it should have been Charles, William, Andrew, Beatrice (and should now be Camilla, William, Andrew, Beatrice, Eugenie) because Harry was/is not residing in the UK.
@justsaying Harry’s still one because he retains the residence at Frogmore, and thus a UK address. But it’s really more of a Harry Potter/Privet Drive technicality than the spirit of the rule.
It’s Harry and Andrew now, but it makes more sense for Anne/Edward going forward. Don’t think Charles totally gets to pick, although exceptions certainly have been made in the past.
@justsaying – it’s not persons who are residing in the UK, it’s persons who are domiciled there, and as I mention above, that’s a specific term that may have a different meaning that one expects. I suppose Harry’s Frogmore address meets that requirement. But if you read up on domicile, especially domicile of origin, particularly in relation to taxes, it’s not clear to me that you have to have an actual UK address to be considered domiciled there. In any event, if Charles doesn’t want several of them as counsellors, no doubt he’ll find a way to make changes.
https://www.expertsforexpats.com/country/uk/tax/the-difference-between-domicile-and-residence/
On the rare occasions when Beatrice has made an official appearance she comes across as far more professional and articulate than the Princess of Wales. Is that so surprising that someone who works for a tech start-up should come across more businesslike than someone who, er, loafed around waiting for her boyfriend to propose for several years?