Chapter One — The Chancellery

Article 39 — Establishment of the Chancellery

The Chancellery is the institution responsible for ensuring the continuity of the Crown and of State authority during any period in which the Throne is vacant.

It ensures that institutions are maintained, laws are implemented and the constitutional order is preserved.

It constitutes neither a second Crown nor a sovereignty distinct from that of the Principality.

Article 40 — The Chancellor

During a vacancy of the Throne, the Chancellor performs the functions of Head of State within the limits laid down by the Constitution.

The Chancellor represents the Principality, guarantees the continuity of its commitments and exercises the prerogatives expressly conferred upon the Chancellery.

The Chancellor does not, by virtue of holding that office alone, bear the title of Sovereign Prince or Princess.

Article 41 — Assumption of Office by the Chancellor

The designation and assumption of office of the Chancellor are determined by the applicable constitutional and organic provisions.

Where a Chancellor is already lawfully in office when a vacancy arises, that Chancellor continues to discharge the duties of the office.

Otherwise, the Chancellor shall be designated in accordance with the procedure laid down by organic law, without any alteration to the dynastic order.

Chapter II — Powers During a Vacancy

Article 42 — Exercise of the Prerogatives of the Crown

During a vacancy of the Throne, the Chancellor exercises the powers of Head of State necessary for the functioning of the Principality.

In particular, the Chancellor may perform acts of representation, promulgation, appointment, defence and conduct of foreign relations that constitutionally fall within the remit of the Crown.

These powers are exercised subject to the same constitutional limits and oversight as the corresponding prerogatives of the Sovereign, unless otherwise provided.

Article 43 — Reserved Powers and Their Limits

The Chancellor may not unilaterally amend the rules of dynastic succession or confer the Crown upon a person who is ineligible for it.

The Chancellor may neither dispense with the requirement for coronation nor proclaim themselves Sovereign outside the constitutional procedure.

Powers expressly reserved to the person of a crowned Sovereign may be exercised by the Chancellor only where the Constitution so provides.

Article 44 — Command and State Security

During a vacancy of the Throne, the Chancellor assumes the Crown's powers in matters of national defence and security.

In particular, the Chancellor exercises the authority constitutionally vested in the Head of State over the armed forces, without prejudice to the operational responsibilities of the Government.

The decision to employ nuclear weapons remains a personal prerogative of the Chancellor during the vacancy, in accordance with the constitutional provisions concerning defence and the international commitments of the Principality.

It may not be automatically delegated to a deputy or another authority.

Chapter III — Continuity of Institutions

Article 45 — Maintenance of Civil Institutions

A vacancy of the Throne entails neither the dissolution of Parliament nor the automatic termination of the duties of the Prime Minister or the Government.

National and territorial institutions continue to discharge their functions in accordance with the Constitution.

Acts lawfully performed during the vacancy remain valid after coronation, subject to the statutory procedures for review and annulment.

Article 46 — Administrative Deputising Arrangements

Where the Chancellor is temporarily unable to discharge their duties, administrative deputising arrangements may be established in accordance with the procedures laid down by organic law.

Such arrangements are limited to acts necessary to ensure the continuity of public services and the ordinary functioning of institutions.

They transfer neither the Crown nor any personal prerogatives expressly excluded from delegation, in particular the decision to employ nuclear weapons.

The Chancellor's absence or inactivity does not, in itself, constitute renunciation of office.

Chapter IV — Transition to the Sovereign

Article 47 — Preparation for Coronation

The Chancellery organises the institutional steps necessary to identify the person lawfully called to the Crown and to prepare for that person's coronation.

It ensures respect for the order of succession, valid dynastic instruments and the rights of heirs.

It may neither compel a renunciation nor alter the constitutional conditions of eligibility.

Article 48 — Termination of Vacancy Powers

The powers exercised by the Chancellor by reason of the vacancy of the Throne cease automatically upon the lawful coronation of the new Sovereign.

The Chancellor arranges for the transfer of the archives, instruments and institutional resources pertaining to the Crown.

The termination of vacancy powers does not affect the validity of acts lawfully performed during that period.

Article 49 — Organic Law Governing the Chancellery

An organic law shall specify the organisation of the Chancellery, the procedures for designating the Chancellor, the conditions governing administrative deputising arrangements, the preservation of official instruments and the arrangements for transition to the crowned Sovereign.

It shall guarantee institutional continuity without permitting the creation of a line of succession parallel to that provided for by the Constitution.