THE Queen’s job description has been rewritten by Buckingham Palace as it scales back the number of duties she “must fulfil”.
Her Majesty’s “official” jobs were edited in the palace’s annual Sovereign Grant report this week – for the first time in at least a decade, it has been reported.
Certain events – like the State Opening of Parliament previously considered necessary by “constitutional convention” – have been removed.
And the latest version of the Queen’s job description, published after the Platinum Jubilee, puts more emphasis on the support of the wider Royal family, The Telegraph reports.
The Queen’s role is still made up of two key elements: Head of State and Head of Nation.
As Head of State, Her Maj, 96, “must fulfil” specific duties.
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These were previously laid out as a 13-point list, including the State Opening of Parliament, the appointment of the Prime Minister, and paying and receiving state visits.
But the latest version instead says the Queen’s role “encompasses a range of parliamentary and diplomatic duties”.
Her Majesty’s symbolic role as Head of Nation – where the Queen is required to inspire “unity and national identity” while recognising the “achievement and success” of others – should now only be carried out “where appropriate or necessary”.
And the new job description swaps the “Queen’s programme” of engagements for the more general “visits in royal programmes”.
It notes the Queen is “greatly assisted by other members of the Royal family who undertake official duties on behalf of Her Majesty”.
Of the six key events of the royal calendar previously listed, one – the State Opening – has been removed, and four of the other five have been led by the Prince of Wales this year.
A palace source told The Telegraph it was not a “drastic” change, but a small update.
It comes as the monarch cuts back the number of engagements she carries out after experiencing episodic mobility problems.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge stepped in for the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament back in May as she was unable to attend in person.
Charles, 73, was granted powers to deliver the televised speech on the Government’s legislative programme in the historic change to protocol.
And the future king has since undertaken a number of overseas visits as the Queen’s representative, including the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
While Her Majesty made some appearances during her Jubilee weekend, Charles took the lead in most of the traditional public elements.
He also stood in for his mother at the Royal Maundy Service.
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After the Jubilee celebrations, the Queen said: “While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.”
She stayed true to her word this week and was on fine form during a busy four-day programme for Holyrood Week in Scotland.
