PRINCE Harry and Prince Andrew have been snubbed, as Buckingham Palace quietly sideline the pair from key roles.
Both royals ditched their working posts one year apart when Andrew stepped down amid his links to paedo Jefferey Epstein and Harry quit to move to the US.
Losing their titles as working royals meant neither of them could wear military uniform during the Queen's coffin procession.
The King's brother and son are named as counsellors of state - meaning if Charles was ever unwell or abroad, either of the two could have been picked to carry out duties in his behalf.
But provisions have since been made to ensure neither of them can act as substitutes, following multiple scandals.
While the Dukes are still on the list, a sneaky clause put forward by Charles when he ascended the throne now means only working royals can take on the responsibility.
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As the bill passed through the Commons and House of Lords, it was argued Harry and Andrew should be stripped as counsellors entirely.
But 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", it was heard.
Charles added Princess Anne and Prince Edward to the list during the change too.
The counsellors of state are usually the sovereign's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21.
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The current counsellors of state are Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.
According to , Charles added another rule meaning Anne and Edward will be counsellors for the rest of their lives.
Meanwhile, Harry, Andrew and Beatrice will be replaced when Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are old enough.
Despite Beatrice being on the list, she can't act in the position because she is not a working royal.
It comes after Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles would be undergoing surgery next week.
The monarch, 75, will postpone public engagements for a short period of recuperation, a statement from the Palace said.
While he will be taking time to recover, it is understood counsellors of state will not be needed to cover.
What is the counsellor of state role?
According to the website, in the event that The King cannot undertake his official duties as Sovereign on a temporary basis due to illness or absence abroad, two or more Counsellors of State are appointed by Letters Patent to act in His Majesty's place.
By law, Counsellors of State include the Sovereign's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession who are over the age of 21.
Counsellors of State are authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the Sovereign.
However, there are a number of core constitutional functions that may not be delegated:
- Commonwealth matters
- The dissolving of Parliament, except on His Majesty's express instruction
- The creation of peers
- Appointing a Prime Minister