THE CROWN

The reigning monarch is not only the head of the state but also a symbol of the unity of the nation. The monarchy is Britain’s oldest secular institution; its continuity for over 1000 years was broken only once by a republic, that lasted 11 years (1649 - 1660). The monarchy is hereditary, the succession passes automatically to the oldest male child, or in the absence of males, to the oldest female offspring of the monarch. By Act of Parliament, the monarch must be a Protestant. Succession is automatic on the death of the monarch, confirmed later by a formal coronation ceremony. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, for example, took place over a year after she became queen.

In law the monarch is head of the executive and of the judiciary, head of the Church of England, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. However, since 1689, the monarch’s sovereign powers have been formally limited by the idea of “the Crown in Parliament”, that is the Crown is only sovereign by the will of Parliament.

The remaining powers of the monarch are: to summon and dissolve Parliament; to give royal assent to legislation passed by Parliament; to appoint government ministers, judges, officers of the armed forces, diplomats and bishops of the Church; to confer honours; to declare war or make peace. In practice, with the exception of a few honours, which she is free to decide herself, the monarch discharges all these functions on the direction of the government.

Nevertheless, the function of the monarch is politically important, for the sovereign takes upon herself some responsibility from the executive head of the state. Away from the public gaze, the monarch plays a greater role. The Queen is visited regularly by her Prime Minister to receive an account of Cabinet decisions and to be consulted on matters of national life. Since 1952 many Prime Ministers have highly valued these meetings.

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