Why King Charles may make ‘unprecedented change to Kate Middleton’s role’

King Charles III is thought to be planning to break royal tradition by expanding the number of royals with the role of Counsellor of State, bringing Kate Middleton into the fold.

• The King may give the role to the Princess of Wales, according to royal sources.
• For the first time, the monarch will expand his pool of advisors to five.
• In other royal news, Prince Harry has spoken about his 'unresolved grief.'

Royal sources have suggested that Kate, along with Princess Anne and Prince Edward, could be brought into the fold to act as Counsellors of State - a role which means they can assist the monarch with official business should he be out of the country or become unwell.

In a break from tradition and a royal first, King Charles will expand his pool of advisors to five. Until Queen Elizabeth's death last month, the positions were held by the then Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Andrew, and Prince Harry, who were all chosen because they were the four next in line to the throne and are at least over the age of 18.

As spouse of the monarch, Prince Philip also held the position until his retirement in 2017.

As it stands at present, when the monarch is absent, state business such as approvals for most appointments and legislation, can be conducted by two Counsellors of State.

It was widely thought the King would strip his son Harry and disgraced brother Andrew of the roles, as they are no longer working members of the royal family. But royal sources have confirmed the King will not allow his son and brother to suffer further embarrassment caused by their separate departures from The Firm.

But sources suggest there may now be three additions to the current list of five - the Queen Consort, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, and Princess Beatrice.

A well-placed palace source said, "No one will be excluded. The pool of Counsellors of State will be expanded, this is for purely practical reasons.

"As the King and Queen Consort are likely to be away, as could the Prince and Princess of Wales, it is only right this is attended to." The source added that a "formal process" would be necessary, which would be completed before the King's first overseas trip at the beginning of next year.

Dr Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert at Bangor University, said the changes would be the "simplest way of dealing with the problem" and adding Kate to the list would be "unprecedented."

He added: "It makes perfect sense. It deals with the present problem in that there are not enough working royals to act as Counsellors of State. This is the simplest way of dealing with the problem.

"In that the legislation could specifically make Prince Edward and Princess Anne Counsellors of State, adding to those who are already there. Adding the Princess of Wales is unprecedented, but this also makes sense."