 The sovereign attends the meeting , though his or her place may be taken by two or more Counsellors of State . Under the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953 , Counsellors of State may be chosen from among the sovereign 's spouse and the four individuals next in the line of succession who are over 21 years of age ( 18 for the heir to the throne ) . Customarily the sovereign remains standing at meetings of the Privy Council , so that no other members may sit down , thereby keeping meetings short . The Lord President reads out a list of Orders to be made , and the sovereign merely says " Approved " . 
