main point > >
1. The Appearance
According to the written law, the Queen of England appears to possess vast
power, which is a perfect example of the contradictory nature of the British
constitution. For instance, every year during the state opening of Parliament,
Queen Elizabeth II gives a speech outlining the government’s plan for the
coming year. Remarkably, she refers to it as “my government”, because legally,
the government belongs to the Crown, not the people.
Under the law, the Queen can theoretically appoint anyone she likes as her
Prime Minister or dismiss any minister in her government. She could even
dissolve Parliament at any time, and no bill passed by Parliament can become
law without her formal approval. Additionally, when someone is prosecuted in
court, it is technically the Crown, not the people or the state, that is bringing
charges. In fact, all British citizens are legally described as “subjects of Her
Majesty”, and there is a principle in English law that the monarch “can do no
wrong”, meaning the Queen is effectively above the law.
2. The Reality of the Monarchy’s Power
Despite what the written law suggests, the actual power of the monarchy is
largely symbolic. In practice, Queen Elizabeth cannot simply choose anyone to
be her Prime Minister. She must select someone who has the majority support in
the House of Commons, typically the leader of the strongest political party. The
government is also not truly under her control, as it requires approval from
Parliament to function, especially for collecting taxes.
Similarly, while the Queen opens Parliament every year and makes a speech, the
speech is entirely written by the government. The Queen has no input in policy
decisions, and while she might request small changes in wording, she cannot
alter the government’s overall direction. Even though she formally gives royal
assent to laws, this is simply a formality—no monarch has refused royal assent
since 1708.
Additionally, while the law theoretically allows her to dissolve Parliament and
call for new elections, she can only do so at the Prime Minister’s request. It
would be nearly impossible for her to refuse such a request in practice.
Additional information:
1. The House of Windsor
The current royal family is known as the House of Windsor. Originally, the
family’s surname was *Saxe-Coburg-Gotha*, but this was changed to
*Windsor* by King George V, Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather, during World War
I due to the anti-German sentiment at the time. The royal family has continued
to play an important symbolic role in British life.
2. The Royal Family
Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne in 1952, is one of the longest-
reigning monarchs in British history. She is deeply respected for her sense of
duty and devotion to her role. However, her role is largely ceremonial. Other
key members of the royal family include her late husband, Prince Philip, Duke
of Edinburgh, and their children, including Prince Charles, who is the heir to the
throne, as well as his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother: Lived to 101, popular due to her
tours of bombed London during World War II with her husband, King
George VI.
Queen Elizabeth II: Born in 1926, became Queen in 1952. One of the
longest-reigning monarchs, she is respected for her dedication to her
duties.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Married the Queen in 1947. Known
for his outspoken views, which sometimes caused controversy.
Princess Margaret: The Queen's younger sister, passed away in 2002.
Prince Charles: Born in 1948, heir to the throne. Advocates for
environmental issues and urban living conditions.
Princess Diana: Married Charles in 1981, separated in 1992, and died in
1997. She was admired for her glamour and humanitarian work.
Princess Anne: The Queen’s daughter, respected for her charity work.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York: The Queen’s second son, divorced from
Sarah Ferguson, with whom he has two daughters.
Prince Edward: The Queen’s youngest son, involved in theater
production, married to Sophie Rhys-Jones.
Prince William & Prince Harry: Sons of Charles and Diana, with
William next in line to the throne after Charles.
Princess Diana, Prince Charles’s first wife, was one of the most popular
figures in the royal family. Her death in 1997 was a significant event that
left a lasting impact on both the royal family and the British public. She
remains a symbol of grace and humanitarianism in the UK.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the British monarchy appears powerful on the surface, it
has very little actual political influence. The Queen’s role is largely ceremonial,
and she follows the advice of the elected government. Though the monarchy
holds symbolic importance, the real political power lies in the hands of
Parliament and the Prime Minister. The royal family, particularly Queen
Elizabeth II, continues to represent tradition and continuity, but their influence
on government and law is minimal.
Quizz:
1. What is the main role of Queen Elizabeth II in the British government
today?
a)She has full political control over Parliament.
b)She can dissolve Parliament anytime she wants.
c)Her role is largely ceremonial, following the advice of the elected
government.
d)She can appoint anyone she chooses as Prime Minister.
2. When did Queen Elizabeth II become Queen of England?
a)1926
b)1952
c)1997
d)1964
3. How did Queen Elizabeth II refer to the government during the state
opening of Parliament?
a) “The people’s government”
b) “The government of the people”
c) “My government”
d) “The Crown’s government”
4. Under the British constitution, who actually holds political power?
a) The monarch
b) The Prime Minister and Parliament
c) The House of Lords
d) The citizens
5. Who must the Queen choose as Prime Minister?
a) Anyone she likes
b) The leader of the opposition party
c) Someone with the majority support in the House of Commons
d) The most popular member of Parliament
