Policy background
The Sovereign performs a significant number of ceremonial and constitutional functions which form a key part of the machinery of government of the United Kingdom and the Devolved Administrations. The Sovereign also has a role in relation to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as the British Overseas Territories.
	It is essential to ensure that these functions can continue to be performed in a timely way if the Sovereign is unable to perform them personally, for example in the event of the Sovereign’s illness or absence from the United Kingdom. In these circumstances, there is provision for Royal functions to be delegated to Counsellors of State. Counsellors of State consist of (and are currently restricted to) the spouse of the Sovereign and the four persons who are next in the line of succession to the Crown (excluding those who are disqualified, such as those not of full age).
	Following the precedents of the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953, a Message from the Crown was read to both Houses of Parliament on 14 November 2022. The Message read to the House of Commons by the Speaker was as follows:
						"To ensure continued efficiency of public business when I am unavailable, such as while I am undertaking official duties overseas, I confirm that I would be most content, should Parliament see fit, for the number of people who may be called upon to act as Counsellors of State under the terms of the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953 to be increased to include my sister and brother, The Princess Royal and The Earl of Wessex and Forfar, both of whom have previously undertaken this role." 1
	Both Houses of Parliament agreed to the Message and responded respectively with an humble Address on 15 November 2022. The Address read by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the House of Commons was as follows:
						"Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty to return thanks to His Majesty for His most gracious message regarding including HRH The Princess Royal and HRH The Earl of Wessex and Forfar among those who may be called upon to act as Counsellors of State under the terms of the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953, and to assure His Majesty that this House will provide such measures as may appear necessary or expedient for securing the purpose set out by His Majesty." 2
	As referenced in the King’s Message to Parliament and the humble Addresses in both Houses, the Act modifies the Regency Act 1937 (‘the 1937 Act’) to add two specified members of the Royal Family to the pool of Counsellors of State to whom Royal functions may be delegated: His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.