Regency Acts

The Regency Acts are Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom passed at various times, to provide a regent if the reigning monarch were to be incapacitated or a minor (under the age of 18). Prior to 1937, Regency Acts were passed only when necessary to deal with a specific situation. In 1937, the Regency Act 1937 made general provision for a regent, and also established the office of Counsellor of State, several of whom would act on the monarch's behalf when the monarch was temporarily absent from the realm. This Act forms the main law relating to regency in the United Kingdom today.

An example of a pre-1937 Regency Act was the Act of 1811 which allowed George, Prince of Wales to act as regent while his father, King George III, was incapacitated. George ruled as the Prince Regent until his father's death, when he ascended the throne as King George IV.

Read more about Regency Acts:  History, Acts Currently in Force Governing The Establishment of A Regency, Situations in Which The Royal Functions Are Transferred To A Regent, Incapacity of The Regent, Assumption of Office By The Regent: Oaths To Be Taken Before The Privy Council, Current Position

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