King Charles III appoints Prince Andrew in important role

King Charles III ascended the throne after his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at her country estate in Balmoral, Scotland.

The 73-year-old was officially announced as the nation’s new sovereign last Saturday (10 September).

And, following his proclamation, the new head of state has supposedly appointed his younger brother, Prince Andrew, as Counsellor of State.

Robert Peston, journalist and political editor of ITV News, posted a thread of tweets explaining the situation.

"The monarch appoints five counsellors of state to stand in for him when he is unwell or out of the UK," Peston began.

"They are his spouse plus the top four in succession to the crown who are aged 21 or over.

"These include Prince Andrew and his daughter Princess Beatrice (only just appointed) but not Princess Anne, who is probably the most widely respected of the royal family.

"Many would say this is nuts, especially since the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act ended primogeniture, though only for those born after 2011.

"So if King Charles were incapacitated, Andrew would step in, not Anne."

He ended his thread with the question: "Do you think most British people would approve?"

Taking to Twitter, many users shared their answers to Peston's question.

One responded: "I most certainly would become a Republican under those circumstances. No way, would I accept Andrew as a “stand-in” for the King. Nuts."

A third wanted to wait for an 'outcome', tweeting: "Let's see what the actual outcome is. I don’t think people will stomach Andrew being in that line. I’m pro monarchy. It may be a legal glitch or point of clarification may be needed - but certainly needs to changed."

Andrew had also previously served as the Queen's Counsellor of State, along with King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry.

On Monday (12 September), a protestor was yanked back after shouting, " Andrew, you're a sick, old man," at Prince Andrew during the Queen's coffin procession.

Watch the moment he was pulled back by police and mourners:

The protestor later explained exactly why he did it, stating: "Powerful men shouldn't be allowed to commit sexual crimes and get away with it."

He was charged by police over the incident.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with a breach of the peace on the Royal Mile around 2.50pm on Monday, September 12.

"He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."

Prince Andrew will be attending his mother's funeral on 19 September and it has since been confirmed that he will be allowed to wear a military uniform despite being stripped of his military honours.

LADbible has reached out to Buckingham Palace for a comment.