King Charles on Monday asked the British Parliament to change the law to allow his other two siblings to act on his behalf in his absence, adding them to a group that currently includes his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew.
In a statement read on his behalf in the House of Lords, Charles, who turned 74 on Monday, asked for an increase in the number of state advisers to include his sister, Princess Anne, and youngest brother, Prince Edward.
Advisers can perform all duties on behalf of the monarch except the most critical roles such as appointing a new prime minister in his absence, and these advisers are selected from among the four adults of his spouse and heir to the throne.
This currently means that, in addition to Charles' wife Camilla and his eldest son and heir, Prince William, the group also includes the king's youngest son, Prince Harry, younger brother Prince Andrew and Andrew's eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice.
This drew criticism from some commentators as both Andrew and Harry no longer held official royal roles.
"In order to ensure the continued efficiency of public affairs in my absence, such as when performing official duties overseas, I confirm that I will be very satisfied if Parliament deems it appropriate for the number of people who may be called upon to serve as State Counsellors... Added to include my sister and brother," the king's statement said.
