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Counsellor of State
 
 
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In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
, Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family
British Royal Family

The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the Monarchy of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in his or her Commonwealth realm#The Crown in the Commonwealth realmss, thus sometimes at variance with official national terms for the family....
 to whom the Monarch, presently Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms: Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Canada, Monarchy of Australia, Monarchy of New Zealand, Monarchy of Jamaica, Monarchy of Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Monarchy of the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Sain...
, delegates certain state functions and powers when she is abroad or unavailable for other reasons (such as short-term incapacity or sickness). Any two Counsellors of State may attend Privy Council
Privy council

A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation on how to exercise their Executive , typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchy....
 meetings, sign state documents or receive the credentials of new ambassador
Ambassador

An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents their country. They are usually accredited to a Sovereignty or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of their country....
s to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
.

first Counsellors of State were created in 1911 by an order in council of George V
George V of the United Kingdom

George V was the first British monarch belonging to the House of Windsor, which he created from the British branch of the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha....
, and this process was repeated on each occasion of the King's absence or incapacity.






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In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
, Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family
British Royal Family

The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the Monarchy of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in his or her Commonwealth realm#The Crown in the Commonwealth realmss, thus sometimes at variance with official national terms for the family....
 to whom the Monarch, presently Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms: Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Canada, Monarchy of Australia, Monarchy of New Zealand, Monarchy of Jamaica, Monarchy of Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Monarchy of the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Sain...
, delegates certain state functions and powers when she is abroad or unavailable for other reasons (such as short-term incapacity or sickness). Any two Counsellors of State may attend Privy Council
Privy council

A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation on how to exercise their Executive , typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchy....
 meetings, sign state documents or receive the credentials of new ambassador
Ambassador

An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents their country. They are usually accredited to a Sovereignty or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of their country....
s to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
.

History

The first Counsellors of State were created in 1911 by an order in council of George V
George V of the United Kingdom

George V was the first British monarch belonging to the House of Windsor, which he created from the British branch of the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha....
, and this process was repeated on each occasion of the King's absence or incapacity. The Regency Act 1937
Regency Acts

The Regency Acts are Act of Parliament of the British Parliament passed at various times, to provide a regent if the British monarch were to be incapacitated or in minority ....
 established in law those individuals that could serve as Counsellors of State. The Counsellors of State are the consort of the monarch and the first four people in the line of succession who meet the qualifications. These qualifications are the same as those for a regent: they must be at least 21 years old (unless s/he is the heir-apparent or presumptive, in which case the requirement is 18 years), they must be domicile
Domicile

*In architecture, domicile is a general term for a place of residence or "permanent residence" in legal terms*Domicile, A thrash metal band from Manchester, England...
d in the United Kingdom, and they must be a British citizen. One exception was made for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the Queen Consort of King George VI of the United Kingdom and the British Empire Dominions from 1936 until his death in 1952....
 (see below).

Since the passage of the Regency Act 1937, the only person to have been a Counsellor of State while not a royal is The Earl of Harewood
George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood

George Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood Order of British Empire , styled The Hon. George Lascelles before 1929 and Viscount Lascelles between 1929 and 1947, is the elder son of the Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood , and Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, the only daughter of George V of the United King...
 (although Princess Maud of Fife
Princess Maud of Fife

Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk was a member of the British Royal Family, a female line granddaughter of Edward VII of the United Kingdom. Maud, and her elder sister, Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife, had the distinction of being the only female-line granddaughters of a British Sovereign to receive the title of British princess and th...
, who served as a Counsellor of State between 1942 and 1945, styled herself simply Lady Southesk); prior to that the Lord Chancellor
Lord Chancellor

The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom....
, the Lord President of the Council
Lord President of the Council

The Lord President of the Council is the fourth of the Great Officers of State of the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Treasurer and above the Lord Privy Seal....
, the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom and the head of government Her Majesty's Government....
 and the Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, the Episcopal see that churches must be in communion with in order to be a part of the Anglican Communion....
 had been appointed to the position by George V.

Present

Currently, the Counsellors of State are:
  • HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
    Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

    The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom since 20 November 1947, and her prince consort since 6 February 1952....
  1. HRH The Prince of Wales
    Charles, Prince of Wales

    The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the eldest child of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, making him heir apparent, equally and separately, to the thrones of Commonwealth realm....
  2. HRH Prince William of Wales
  3. HRH Prince Henry of Wales
  4. HRH The Duke of York
    Prince Andrew, Duke of York

    The Prince Andrew, Duke of York is the second son and third child of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. At the time of his birth, he was second in the History of the British line of succession#George VI to the thrones of Commonwealth realm; however, after additions to the Royal Family, and an evolution o...


List of Counsellors of State

The following is a list of all the people who have served as a Counsellor of State, since the passage of the Regency Act 1937, in chronological order. Prior to this, Counsellors were only appointed for specific trips and the appointment lapsed on the King's return. Note that this list contains the dates not of when they ruled, but when they actually held the position.

  • HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
    Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

    Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was the Queen Consort of King George VI of the United Kingdom and the British Empire Dominions from 1936 until his death in 1952....
     (1937–1952, 1953–2002)
  • HRH The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester
    Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester

    The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester Privy Council, Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle, Order of St Patrick, Order of the Bath, Order of St Michael and St George, Royal Victorian Order, Venerable Order of St John was a member of the British Royal Family, the third son of George V of the United Kingdom of the United Kingdom and Mary of...
     (1937–1974)
  • HRH The Prince George, Duke of Kent
    Prince George, Duke of Kent

    The Prince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck. He held the title of Duke of Kent from 1934 until his death in 1942....
     (1937–1942)
  • HRH The Princess Mary, Princess Royal (1937–1957)
  • HRH Princess Arthur of Connaught
    Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife

    'Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife' was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of Edward VII of the United Kingdom. Alexandra, and her younger sister, Princess Maud of Fife, had the distinction of being the only female-line granddaughters of a British Sovereign to receive the title of British princess and the style Highness'...
     (1937–1944)
  • HH Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk
    Princess Maud of Fife

    Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk was a member of the British Royal Family, a female line granddaughter of Edward VII of the United Kingdom. Maud, and her elder sister, Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife, had the distinction of being the only female-line granddaughters of a British Sovereign to receive the title of British princess and th...
     (1942–1944)
  • The Rt Hon. The Earl of Harewood
    George Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood

    George Henry Hubert Lascelles, 7th Earl of Harewood Order of British Empire , styled The Hon. George Lascelles before 1929 and Viscount Lascelles between 1929 and 1947, is the elder son of the Henry Lascelles, 6th Earl of Harewood , and Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, the only daughter of George V of the United King...
     (1944–1951, 1952–1956)
  • HRH The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh
    Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

    Elizabeth II is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms: Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Canada, Monarchy of Australia, Monarchy of New Zealand, Monarchy of Jamaica, Monarchy of Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Monarchy of the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Sain...
     (later Elizabeth II
    Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

    Elizabeth II is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms: Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Canada, Monarchy of Australia, Monarchy of New Zealand, Monarchy of Jamaica, Monarchy of Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Monarchy of the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Sain...
    ) (1944–1952)
  • HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (1951–1985)
  • HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
    Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

    The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom since 20 November 1947, and her prince consort since 6 February 1952....
     (since 1952)
  • HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
    Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

    Prince Edward, Duke of Kent is a member of the British Royal Family, a grandchild of George V of the United Kingdom. He has held the title of Duke of Kent since 1942....
     (1956–1965)
  • HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent (1957–1962)
  • HRH Prince William of Gloucester
    Prince William of Gloucester

    Prince William of Gloucester was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George V of the United Kingdom....
     (1962–1971)
  • HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
    Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester

    Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester is a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest grandchild of George V of the United Kingdom and Mary of Teck....
     (1965–1966, 1974–1981)
  • HRH The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
    Charles, Prince of Wales

    The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the eldest child of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, making him heir apparent, equally and separately, to the thrones of Commonwealth realm....
     (since 1966)
  • HRH The Princess Anne, Princess Royal (1971–2003)
  • HRH The Prince Andrew, Duke of York
    Prince Andrew, Duke of York

    The Prince Andrew, Duke of York is the second son and third child of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. At the time of his birth, he was second in the History of the British line of succession#George VI to the thrones of Commonwealth realm; however, after additions to the Royal Family, and an evolution o...
     (since 1981)
  • HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
    Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex

    The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh....
     (1985–2005)
  • HRH Prince William of Wales
    Prince William of Wales

    Prince William of Wales is the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and grandson of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh....
     (since 2003)
  • HRH Prince Henry of Wales (since 2005)


List of Councils of State


George V
George V of the United Kingdom

George V was the first British monarch belonging to the House of Windsor, which he created from the British branch of the German House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha....



Edward VIII
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom

Edward VIII was Monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the dominion, and Emperor of India from 20 January 1936, following the death of his father, George V of the United Kingdom, until his abdication on 11 December 1936....

Due to the brevity of King Edward's reign, there were no Councils under him.

George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom

George VI was British monarchy and the United Kingdom Dominions from 11 December 1936 until his death. He was the last Emperor of India and the last King of Ireland , and the first Head of the Commonwealth....



Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Elizabeth II is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms: Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Monarchy of Canada, Monarchy of Australia, Monarchy of New Zealand, Monarchy of Jamaica, Monarchy of Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Monarchy of the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Sain...
 


1950s and 1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

See also

  • List of state visits made by Queen Elizabeth II
    List of state visits made by Queen Elizabeth II

    Below is a complete list of state visits made by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom....
  • List of Commonwealth visits made by Queen Elizabeth II
    List of Commonwealth visits made by Queen Elizabeth II

    Below is a list of visits to Commonwealth of Nations countries made by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.1950s1952*February Kenya...
  • Regency Acts
    Regency Acts

    The Regency Acts are Act of Parliament of the British Parliament passed at various times, to provide a regent if the British monarch were to be incapacitated or in minority ....
  • British monarchy
    British monarchy

    The Monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its British overseas territory.The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, has reigned since 6 February 1952....
  • Regent
    Regent

    A regent, from the Latin regens "reigning", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present or debilitated....