Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall could "step up" to help the Queen in slimming down the monarchy, setting a precedent for Kate Middleton, an expert has claimed.
The Duchess of Cornwall could be added earlier as the heir apparent’s spouse rather than having non-working royals removed.
This could set a precedent that could allow the Duchess of Cambridge to be added to the Counsellors of State - which are the Sovereign's spouse and the next four people in the line of succession, who all have to be over the age of 21.
Currently, Prince Harry, Prince Charles, Prince William and Andrew are the four people who form the Queen’s Counsellors of State.
Royal expert Gertrude Daly, host of Gert's Royal podcast, believes adding Camilla would be the easiest option to have more working royals as Counsellors of State, reports the Daily Star.
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If the decision is made to add Camilla, it could also see Kate take up the role to replace Prince Charles rather than the next in the line in succession, which would be Princess Beatrice.
Gertrude told the Daily Star: “If they did want to add someone to the Counsellors of State, what may be easier than removing Prince Andrew and Prince Harry, is to include the heir apparent’s spouse as a Counsellors of State.
“Since Duchess Camilla is already going to be added, during Prince Charles’s reign, it could make sense to add her now.
"This would also set a precedence so that Duchess Kate could be added during Prince Charles’ reign, as the then heir apparent’s spouse.”
Counsellors of State are authorised to carry out official duties when the Queen is not available to fulfil her duties, such as down to illness.
The duties include attending Privy Council meetings, signing routine documents and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors to the United Kingdom.
The Queen still has a final say in certain matters such as Commonwealth matters, dissolving Parliament, creation of peers and appointing a Prime Minister.
