King Charles previously used a genius tactic to ensure that the disgraced royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor never gets to deputise for him. Despite no longer holding any royal titles, including his princely title, Andrew still holds the title of Counsellor of State.

Following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, King Charles made the decision to add Princess Anne and Prince Edward to the list of family members who can act for him if the monarch is ill, abroad or otherwise incapacitated by creating the Counsellors of State Act 2022.

While he retained the role, there are several other working royals who also hold the position, meaning he will never be called on to fill in.

Some people have argued that Andrew should be dropped from the role altogether, especially now that he has been stripped of his royal titles.

A small statement during the second reading of the bill in the Lords in November 2022 confirmed that both Andrew and Prince Harry, who is also no longer a working royal, will not be called upon to carry out duties for the King.

At the time, Lord True, Lord Privy Seal and leader of the House of Lords, said that the royal household had confirmed that in practice only "working members of the Royal Family will be called on to act as counsellors of state".

This means that they will not act as substitutes for the King if needed.

Counsellors of State are traditionally the monarch's spouse and the first five people in the line of succession over the age of 21.

The current family members who are listed as holding the role are Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Andrew, Princess Beatrice, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

A significant rule added to the act by King Charles means that Anne and Edward will be in the role for the rest of their lives, but Beatrice, Harry and Andrew will slowly be replaced by William's children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - when they come of age.