If King Charles is ever out of action, on a temporary basis, and can’t undertake official duties, two or more ‘Counsellors of State’ can act in his place.
Counsellors of State are authorised to carry out most of the official duties of the sovereign, for example, attending privy council meetings, signing routine documents and receiving the credentials of new ambassadors to the United Kingdom.
However, there are core constitutional functions that can’t be delegated, including Commonwealth matters, the dissolving of Parliament except on His Majesty’s express instruction, the creation of peers, and appointing a Prime Minister.
