Queen Elizabeth’s job description has been changed for the first time in a decade to reduce her obligations following her Platinum Jubilee last month.
The new version of her list of “official duties” places greater emphasis on the support of the other members of the royal family, and removes some of the monarch’s previous roles, including attending the State Opening of Parliament.
Signed by the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Michael Stevens, the Sovereign Grant report states Queen Elizabeth shall continue to be the Head of State and Head of Nation, but will need the support of the greater royal family to fulfill some of her previous duties on her behalf.
“The Queen is greatly assisted by other members of the Royal Family who undertake official duties on behalf of Her Majesty,” the report states.
The revised job description also notably offers changes to the 13-point list of the Queen’s responsibilities as Head of State, getting rid of specific duties such as paying and receiving state visits and appointing the U.K.’s Prime Minister.
Instead, the new version only provides a more general description of her responsibilities, noting her role “encompasses a range of parliamentary and diplomatic duties.” It also notes that the Queen may still receive visiting heads of state, but will no longer pay state visits.
The revised version also provides a loose definition of the Queen’s role as Head of Nation, which includes focusing on inspiring “unity and national identity,” recognizing the achievement and success of others, and ensuring “support of service” from military and emergency volunteers. The report states Queen Elizabeth is to carry out such roles only “where appropriate or necessary.”
The change in Queen Elizabeth’s official duties comes amid speculation that Meghan Markle plans to carve out a niche in U.S. politics. According to royal expert Russell Myers, the Duchess of Sussex may have political ambitions as she is now much freer to voice out her opinions on political matters after stepping down as a senior royal in the U.K. Just recently, she had spoken up about the U.S. Supreme Court’s repealing of Roe vs Wade.
“So does she have political ambitions? I think she does,” Myers said. “And she’s certainly rubbing shoulders with the right people and making the right noises.”
Photo: AFP / ANDY BUCHANAN
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