Frequently Asked Questions

For frequently asked questions relating to Royal Charters, please see the seperate list.

How do you become a Privy Counsellor?
Appointments are made by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister and are for life – there is no fixed number of Members. All Cabinet Ministers are appointed to the Privy Council, as are (among others) some senior members of the Royal Family, senior judges, Archbishops, the Speaker of the House of Commons and leaders of Opposition parties. The Council now numbers over 700 members, and members are entitled to the prefix ‘Right Honourable’ for life.

What is the Quorum for a Privy Council meeting?
The Lord President plus three Privy Counsellors. This number was introduced by Queen Victoria.

What are “Privy Council Terms”?
There is no formal guidance on briefings given under “Privy Council terms”. It is simply a recognised convention which allows Privy Counsellors to be briefed on confidential terms, should the Government wish to do so. Such an arrangement is entirely voluntary, and anyone not wishing to be briefed on such terms may decline the invitation. Having accepted a briefing on ‘Privy Council terms’, he or she is understood to have agreed to treat it as confidential. Such briefing is always a matter for, and at the discretion of, the Government of the day; there are no special requirements.

Are Members “Privy Councillors” or “Privy Counsellors”?
Both are correct, but “Counsellors” is the preferred usage.

Why does the Privy Council stand up during meetings?
We understand that this custom was initiated by Queen Victoria, following the death of the Prince Consort (1861), when she wished to reduce her public duties to the minimum necessary (although there is no documentary evidence). We know that the Prince Consort always attended Councils until his death, and the Council may have stood at the first Council after his death as a mark of respect. All that Queen Victoria needed to do, of course, to ensure that the Council stood was to remain standing herself. Etiquette does not allow sitting while the Sovereign is standing. To this day even The King stands at a Privy Council meeting.

If an institution uses the word ‘Royal’ in its title, does it mean that it has been granted a Charter?
No. The use of the prefix ‘Royal’ does not necessarily denote the existence of a Charter, it can be granted at the prerogative of the Monarch, and the Privy Council is not involved in the process.

Does the Privy Council grant City Status?
No, the Privy Council is not involved in the process of granting city status.

Does the Privy Council have any jurisdiction in Australia, Canada or New Zealand?
No

Appointment of Governors-General of Australia
For all information regarding the appointment of Governors-General of Australia since the founding of the Federation in 1901 (including the current post holder), please contact the National Archives of Australia.