Duchess Camilla’s royal role ‘to be expanded’ amid the Queen’s health concerns
Duchess Camilla could reportedly be set to join just four other royals in holding an elite role.
![Duchess Camilla of Cornwall visits the Ebony Horse Club riding centre](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KCyXsEhd42XSLw7MbUMePh-415-80.jpg)
Duchess Camilla could reportedly be set to take on an expanded role within the Royal Family, including the possibility of receiving a prestigious title amid concerns about the Queen’s health.
- Palace aides are set to be drafting major plans to expand the Duchess of Cornwall’s role as the Queen continues to rest.
- It’s claimed that Duchess Camilla could even be made one of the monarch’s Counsellors of State who take on royal duties if the Queen is unable to perform them.
- This royal news comes as the Queen has been forced to cancel this historic royal tradition following doctors' advice.
Duchess Camilla might already have a prominent royal role given her position as the Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles, who is first in the royal line of succession. Now, however, it’s been suggested that her involvement in carrying out royal engagements and other important commitments could be even more crucial if the Queen should become unable to perform her duties as Head of State.
According to the Mail on Sunday, the recent concerns about the Queen’s health have led Palace Aides to begin drafting plans for the Duchess of Cornwall to take on an expanded role within the Royal Family. Despite the Queen pulling out of a royal trip on “medical advice” in recent weeks and having also now pulled out of the COP26 climate change conference, she has continued her royal duties at Windsor Castle.
🥇The 2020 winner of The Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, David Constantine, has been officially presented with his medal during a virtual Audience with The Queen. David was joined at Buckingham Palace by the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who chairs the Poetry Medal Committee. pic.twitter.com/HWGUqkNCS1October 28, 2021
Though there are four senior royals who are understood to be ready to step in to perform them on her behalf. These prominent royals are known as the Queen’s Counsellors of State and can be asked to take over the monarch’s duties if she is unwell or abroad. The current Counsellors of State include two of the Queen’s children, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, as well as two of the Queen’s grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry.
These four were reportedly chosen because each is over the age of 18 and are the four next in the royal line of succession. However, following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Prince Andrew stepped away from royal duties and isn't a working royal.
Neither is his nephew Prince Harry, who “stepped back” from royal life with his wife Meghan Markle and has since settled in the US. This could potentially pose a problem in the future as it’s said two Counsellors of State are required to perform critical functions such as providing royal assent on bills passing through Parliament.
In light of this, Dr Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert at Bangor University, told the Mail on Sunday that the current situation could see the Queen appointing other Counsellors of State and Duchess Camilla’s name could potentially be on the list.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
He explained, “There is a small but genuine risk that the non-availability of Counsellors of State could impede the operation of the constitution. It could certainly make the day-to-day running of Government much more tricky. The Counsellors of State are a Plan B from a constitutional point of view, but what happens when Plan B isn’t quite ideal?”
Dr Prescott went on to allege, “The Queen may look to add the Duchess of Cornwall, who would become a Counsellor of State when Charles is King anyway. Or they could go down the line to Princesses Beatrice or Eugenie, or add more members of the family, like Princess Anne or Prince Edward to the list.”
At the moment it remains to be seen whether Duchess Camilla’s royal role will be expanded more generally, or if she could indeed join her husband, brother-in-law and stepsons as one of the Queen’s Counsellors of State should the need arise.
Meanwhile, the Queen is currently said to be in “good spirits”, with Buckingham Palace confirming in a statement that “it remains her firm intention to be present for the national service of remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, on 14 November.”
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
Is The Young Woman and the Sea based on a true story and how many women have swam the English Channel?
Viewers are wondering about the inspiring back story of The Young Woman And The Sea
By Katherine Sidnell Published
-
32 essential tips for anyone thinking about downsizing - from practical advice to dealing with the stress and emotions
Deciding to downsize comes with many advantages, but it's not something to pursue without the right preparation
By Jack Slater Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s ‘unusual’ decision for George, Charlotte and Louis as they ‘can’t undo destiny’
The Prince and Princess of Wales's parenting approach is reportedly quite 'unusual' and they're following in the Middletons' footsteps
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Dame Shirley Bassey just broke protocol in front of King Charles and reacted with an ‘instinctive’ move
Shirley Bassey broke protocol at a prestigious ceremony with King Charles at Windsor Castle though, thankfully, he didn't seem to mind
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Anne's nickname for King Charles is unusual to say the least but it reflects their 'very close' bond
The Princess Royal has the sweetest nickname for her brother King Charles and has been described by an expert as his 'right-hand woman'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Queen Camilla and King Charles’s ‘competition’ at home is remarkably unroyal and it really kicks off this time of year
Queen Camilla once revealed that she and King Charles get 'competitive' over a hobby that many fans might not imagine them doing
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Prince George and Princess Charlotte's ‘nightmare’ before meeting Taylor Swift that caused some ‘stress and panic’
George and Charlotte met Taylor Swift at Wembley on Prince William's 42nd birthday but their schedule reportedly didn't quite go to plan
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate and William 'shaken to the core' amid 'testing time' - but they're 'stronger than ever'
The Wales family have faced hard times recently - but a royal expert says that Kate and William's bond is 'stronger than ever'
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Carole Middleton supported by Prince William at Royal Ascot amid awkward moment Kate’s faced before
Carole Middleton has attended Ascot for the first time since 2022 and Prince William came to her rescue after a brief mishap
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's action shot of George, Charlotte and Louis for William's 42nd birthday is the best royal family photo we've seen
The Prince of Wales's 42nd birthday photo features his three children and it's a fun departure from the royal pictures we usually see
By Emma Shacklock Published