Politics of The United Kingdom - The Crown

The Crown

The British Monarch, currently Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Chief of State of the United Kingdom. Though she takes little direct part in government, the Crown remains the fount in which ultimate executive power over Government lies. These powers are known as Royal Prerogative and can be used for a vast amount of things, such as the issue or withdrawal of passports, to the dismissal of the Prime Minister or even the Declaration of War. The powers are delegated from the Monarch personally, in the name of the Crown, and can be handed to various ministers, or other Officers of the Crown, and can purposely bypass the consent of Parliament.

The head of Her Majesty's Government; the Prime Minister, also has weekly meetings with the sovereign, where she may express her feelings, warn, or advise the Prime Minister in the Governments work.

According to the uncodified constitution of the United Kingdom, the monarch has the following powers:

Domestic Powers

  • The power to dismiss and appoint a Prime Minister
  • The power to dismiss and appoint other ministers
  • The power to summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament
  • The power to grant or refuse Royal Assent to bills (making them valid and law)
  • The power to commission officers in the Armed Forces
  • The power to command the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom
  • The power to appoint members to the Queen's Council
  • The power to issue and withdraw passports
  • The power to grant Prerogative of mercy (though Capital Punishment is abolished, this power is still used to remedy errors in sentence calculation)
  • The power to grant honours
  • The power to create corporations via Royal Charter

Foreign Powers

  • The power to ratify and make treaties
  • The power to declare War and Peace
  • The power to deploy the Armed Forces overseas
  • The power to recognize states
  • The power to credit and receive diplomats

Read more about this topic:  Politics Of The United Kingdom

Famous quotes containing the words the crown and/or crown:

    “All’s well that ends well! still the fine’s the crown;
    What e’er the course, the end is the renown.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    “Or shatter too with him my curious frame:
    And let these wither, so that he may die,
    Though set with Skill and chosen out with Care.
    That they, while Thou on both their Spoils dost tread,
    May crown thy Feet, that could not crown thy Head.”
    —Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)

    “I’ll make thee glorious by my pen
    And famous by my sword;
    I’ll serve thee in such noble ways
    Was never heard before;
    I’ll crown and deck thee all with bays,
    And love thee more and more.”
    —James Graham Marquess of Montrose (1612–1650)