Dating back to 1708, the Privy Council is a body created to advise the monarch, although it largely serves a ceremonial function today. The Telegraph reports that while all Privy Council members were historically summoned to the meeting, the number has now grown so great (more than 700 individuals), that only 200 are now invited, prioritising current Cabinet ministers, former prime ministers, senior judges and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.
Although made up mostly of politicians, the late Queen’s private secretary is a member, as is her grandson (now the heir apparent), the Duke of Cambridge, and the Queen Consort, who was made a Privy Counsellor in 2016. This means Camilla will be present alongside her husband when he is formally proclaimed as king. Once the King has taken his oath on Saturday, witnessed by members of the Royal Family and Privy Counsellors such as First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, the meeting will be closed by Mordaunt and the proclamation will be signed by the Privy Counsellors.
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort arriving at Buckingham Palace
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On 9 September, a day on from the Queen’s death, Buckingham Palace released an announcement explaining the proceedings. It reads: ‘His Majesty The King will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10.00hrs tomorrow morning 10 September in the State Apartments of St James’s Palace, London. The Accession Council, attended by Privy Councillors, is divided into two parts. In Part I, the Privy Council, without The King present, will proclaim the Sovereign, and formally approve various consequential Orders, including the arrangements for the Proclamation. Part II, is the holding by The King of His Majesty’s first Privy Council. The King will make his Declaration and read and sign an oath to uphold the security of the Church in Scotland and approve Orders in Council which facilitate continuity of government.
