Simone Lawson
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, a system under which the head of state inherits their office from their parents and holds it until they die or retire. The UK has been a constitutional monarchy since the founding of the modern monarchy in 1628, with the passage of the Petition of Right, which declared that Englishmen had various rights and liberties. The Petition of Right also restricted the powers of the monarch, stating that no person should be forced to provide a gift, loan, or tax without an Act of Parliament, and that no free individual should be imprisoned or detained without cause. The UK became a democratic constitutional monarchy in the 19th century, with the monarch's role becoming largely limited to non-partisan functions, such as granting honours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of transition to constitutional monarchy | 1867 or 19th century; the 1628 Petition of Right is also considered the founding of the UK's modern constitutional monarchy |
| Date of transition to Kingdom of Great Britain | 1707 |
| Date of transition to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland | 1800 |
| Date of transition to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | 1927 |
| Current monarch | King George V (since 2022) |
| Previous monarch | Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022) |
| Monarch's style | "of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India" |
| Monarch's role | Largely limited to non-partisan functions, such as granting honours |
Other Notes
- The UK is a democratic constitutional monarchy, where the head of state inherits their office from their parents and holds it until they die or retire.
- The monarch's role is largely ceremonial, with the Prime Minister holding the most power.
- The UK has not declared war since 1942.
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What You'll Learn
The transition to constitutional monarchy
In the 13th century, the concept of monarchs consulting with their subjects emerged, and Parliament began to develop as a result. This marked the beginning of the transition to constitutional monarchy, as it established the idea that the monarch's power was not absolute and that they were subject to certain constraints.
Over time, various documents and events further eroded the power of the monarch and established the power of Parliament. For example, the Magna Carta, first agreed upon in 1215, imposed constraints on the monarch, and the English Civil War, which ended in 1649 with the execution of King Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, marked a significant shift in power away from the monarchy and towards Parliament.
In 1688, the Glorious Revolution further limited the power of the monarch and established the principle that the monarch was subject to the law. The Bill of Rights, passed in 1689, codified these principles and established certain liberties for the subjects that the monarch was prohibited from infringing upon.
During the reign of Queen Anne in the early 18th century, the power of the monarch shifted even more towards the ministers, particularly Sir Robert Walpole, who is often considered the first British prime minister.
The final transition to a constitutional monarchy occurred during the long reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century. As a woman, Victoria could not rule Hanover, which only permitted succession in the male line, so the personal union of the United Kingdom and Hanover came to an end. The Victorian era was marked by great cultural and technological progress, and the United Kingdom established itself as one of the world's foremost powers.
Today, the United Kingdom is a democratic constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's role is largely limited to non-partisan functions, such as granting honours, and the country is governed by a democratically elected Parliament.
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The limits of royal power
The United Kingdom has been a constitutional monarchy since the reign of Queen Victoria, who succeeded William IV in the mid-19th century. As a constitutional monarchy, the UK's head of state is a hereditary sovereign who reigns but does not rule, with the ability to make and pass legislation residing with an elected Parliament.
The role of the British monarch today is largely ceremonial and non-partisan, with the sovereign bound by constitutional convention to act on the advice of the government and the prime minister, who exercises powers still formally possessed by the monarch. The monarch acts as a visible symbol of national unity, embodying and representing the nation, and performing constitutional and representational duties.
While the monarch possesses the ultimate legal responsibility for a variety of functions that are crucial to the operation of the political system, these powers are rarely used independently and are instead exercised under certain very limited circumstances. These functions include:
- Appointing and removing the Prime Minister and other ministers
- Dissolving Parliament, to bring about general elections
- 'Proroguing' Parliament – that is, disbanding it for a set period of time
- Approving important laws through 'Royal Assent'
- Acting as head of the Armed Forces
- Being head of the Church of England, the official religion of England
- Granting honours
These powers, many of which exist under the 'Royal Prerogative', are extensive but are subject to constraints. The courts can also become involved in ensuring the use of the Royal Prerogative conforms to established standards, with the power to decide whether particular powers exist and scrutinise whether they are being deployed properly.
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The rise of republicanism
The United Kingdom has been a constitutional monarchy since the Victorian era. During this time, there was a rise in support for the republican movement, which can be attributed in part to Queen Victoria's permanent mourning and lengthy seclusion following the death of her husband in 1861. This period also witnessed significant cultural shifts and technological advancements, with the United Kingdom solidifying its position as a global power.
Republicanism in the United Kingdom advocates for replacing the monarchy with an elected head of state. Notable supporters of this movement include members of the Green Party of England and Wales, the Scottish Greens, and Labour for a Republic, a pressure group within the Labour Party. While support for republicanism has been growing, particularly among younger Britons, polls from 2019 to 2022 showed that over 70% favoured maintaining the monarchy.
The arguments for republicanism in the UK centre on the belief that a monarchy devalues the parliamentary system. Republicans argue that the monarchical prerogative powers can circumvent the normal democratic process without accountability. On the other hand, defenders of the monarchy assert that a constitutional monarchy is not inherently less democratic than a republic, as both forms of government are based on parliamentarianism and constitutionalism.
The role of the constitutional monarch in the UK has evolved over time. While historically, monarchs held extensive powers, they are now largely limited to non-partisan functions, such as granting honours. The monarch's executive authority, known as the royal prerogative, is exercised only on the advice of ministers responsible to Parliament, particularly the prime minister.
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The role of the monarch
The United Kingdom has been a constitutional monarchy since the 19th century, with the final transition occurring during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 1800s. The monarch's role in this system has evolved over time, shifting from absolute power to a more ceremonial and representative position.
Today, the monarch of the United Kingdom serves as both the head of state and the head of the nation. While the monarch reigns, the ruling is done by the government, with the prime minister at its head. The monarch is constitutionally obliged to follow the government's advice and acts on the advice of ministers responsible to Parliament. The monarch's main functions include appointing the prime minister and other ministers, opening new sessions of Parliament, and giving royal assent to bills passed by Parliament, signifying they have become law. The monarch also chairs monthly meetings of the Privy Council, approves Orders in Council, receives ambassadors, and makes various other appointments, all while acting on the government's advice.
In their representative role, the monarch acts as a focus for national identity, unity, and pride, providing a sense of stability and continuity. They officially recognize success and excellence and support the ideal of voluntary service. This role is fulfilled through speeches, such as the King's annual Christmas Day broadcast, granting honours, and visiting armed forces, schools, hospitals, charities, and local organizations. The monarch also has a role in recognizing and supporting the work of local public services and voluntary organizations across the UK.
The monarch holds a weekly audience with the prime minister, during which they discuss state matters and receive updates on government affairs. While the monarch has a role in approving laws, the power to declare war, and other prerogative powers, these are typically exercised only on the advice of the prime minister. The monarch's role is largely limited to non-partisan functions, ensuring that they act in accordance with democratic principles and the will of the people.
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The history of the monarchy
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy, which means that it is a democracy with an inherited head of state—the monarch. The UK's transition to a constitutional monarchy occurred during the long reign of Queen Victoria, who succeeded William IV in 1837.
Charles I's son, Charles II, was proclaimed King of Great Britain in Scotland, but he was forced to flee after being defeated at the Battle of Worcester. Oliver Cromwell seized power and ruled as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland until his death in 1658. The monarchy was restored in 1660, and Charles II returned to Britain.
In 1707, the Scottish and English parliaments negotiated the Acts of Union, uniting England and Scotland into a single Kingdom of Great Britain under Queen Anne. In 1714, Queen Anne was succeeded by her second cousin, George I, Elector of Hanover, who retained control over his German kingdoms, with which Britain was now in personal union. Power shifted towards George's ministers, including Sir Robert Walpole, often considered the first British prime minister.
During the long reign of George III, Britain lost its American colonies, and the power of the monarchy declined. In 1800, the Acts of Union created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. From 1811-1820, George III was incapable of ruling due to mental illness, and his son, the future George IV, ruled as Prince Regent. By the time of William IV's reign, the monarch could no longer effectively interfere with parliamentary power. The Reform Act of 1832, which reformed parliamentary representation, further reduced the power of the monarchy.
Queen Victoria's reign marked a significant cultural and technological change, and the United Kingdom became one of the world's foremost powers. In recognition of British rule over India, Victoria was declared Empress of India in 1876. However, her reign also saw increased support for the republican movement. In 1917, the next monarch, George V, changed the house name from "Saxe-Coburg and Gotha" to "Windsor" due to anti-German sentiment during the First World War.
The UK remains a constitutional monarchy today, with the monarch performing largely non-partisan functions, such as granting honours, and acting within the constraints of convention and precedent. While republicanism has grown in recent years, polls show that a majority of British people still support the continuation of the monarchy.
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Frequently asked questions
Great Britain has been a constitutional monarchy since the founding of the United Kingdom in 1707, when England and Scotland were united under one monarch. The final transition to a constitutional monarchy was made during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century.
A constitutional monarchy is a system in which the head of state inherits their office from their parents and holds it until they die or retire. In such a system, the monarch's role is largely limited to non-partisan functions, such as granting honours, and they must act within the constraints of convention and precedent.
The transition to a constitutional monarchy in Great Britain was a gradual process that involved several key events. One significant event was the 1628 Petition of Right, which declared that Englishmen had certain rights and liberties and restricted the power of the monarch. Another important factor was the establishment of Parliament, which began to develop in the 13th century and gradually gained more power relative to the monarchy. Additionally, the Acts of Union in 1707 united England and Scotland into a single Kingdom of Great Britain, further shaping the constitutional monarchy.
