Omar Bennett
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch acts as a non-party political ceremonial head of state under the constitution. While the monarch may hold formal authority and the government may operate in their name, they no longer personally set public policy or choose political leaders. Many nations and regions have adopted constitutional monarchy as their form of government. Some examples include the United Kingdom, Belgium, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Andorra.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| System of government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Head of state | King or queen |
| Head of government | Prime minister |
| Title of king | Hereditary and held for life |
| Powers of the monarch | Limited by the constitution; may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader; may have the ability to appoint a prime minister, proclaim laws, and handle foreign relations |
| Political power | Held by the legislature |
| Monarch's role | Serve as a symbol for the nation |
| Examples | Japan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Belize, Jamaica, Grenada, the Bahamas, Andorra, Aruba, France, Finland, Poland, Mexico, Saint Lucia, Lesotho |
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What You'll Learn
- The UK, Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand
- Japan, the most populous constitutional monarchy
- Former British colonies, including Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea
- Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, and other former constitutional monarchies
- Andorra, Aruba, Belize, Canada, and other nations where the British monarch is the Head of State
The UK, Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the head of state, have a ceremonial role, or have certain limited powers allocated by the constitution. All other powers of government are distributed to the legislature and judiciary.
The United Kingdom
The UK is a constitutional monarchy with the monarch retaining substantial, if limited, legislative and executive powers. The monarch appoints a prime minister, proclaims laws, and handles foreign relations. The real power, however, is held by the Parliament and the democratically elected legislature. The monarch's role is largely symbolic, acting as a figurehead and a symbol of national unity.
Belgium
Belgium is an explicit popular monarchy, with the formal title of its king being "King of the Belgians" rather than "King of Belgium". The Belgian model is unique and is based on the title "King of the French" granted by the Charter of 1830. The monarch in Belgium has a ceremonial role and also formally appoints a representative to preside over the creation of a coalition government following a parliamentary election.
Cambodia
Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy and one of the few elective monarchies in the world, where the ruler is periodically selected by a small electoral college.
Jordan
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch has discretionary powers.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch has limited powers.
Norway
Norway is a constitutional monarchy where the King chairs special meetings of the cabinet. While the monarch is the nominal chief executive, they are bound by convention to act on the advice of the Cabinet.
Spain
Spain is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch has a largely ceremonial role.
Sweden
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch has a largely ceremonial role.
Thailand
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and one of the most populous constitutional monarchies in the world. The monarch in Thailand is recognized as the Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist Religion, and Defender of the Faith. The monarch has significant powers, including the ability to appoint a council of ministers that form part of the executive branch of the government.
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Japan, the most populous constitutional monarchy
Japan is one of the most populous constitutional monarchies in the world, along with Thailand. The current emperor of Japan is Naruhito, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019, following the abdication of his father, Akihito. The emperor is the ceremonial head of state, with no governing power. The constitution defines the emperor as "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people".
Japan's history as a constitutional monarchy dates back to the Meiji Constitution of 1889, which established a mixed constitutional-absolute monarchy with an independent judiciary based on the Prussian model. This constitution strengthened Japan's position on the world stage and created the country's first parliamentary system. All sovereignty rested with the emperor, who was at the centre of all modern institutions, including the constitution, parliament, and bureaucracy.
However, following World War II, the role of the emperor changed significantly. The current constitution of Japan, created in 1947, replaced the previous Imperial rule with a Western-style liberal democracy. The emperor's position was redefined, and the country's legislative, executive, and judiciary branches became independent of the emperor's power. The National Diet, or the Japanese parliament, is the legislative branch of the government and is elected by popular vote. The Supreme Court is the judicial branch and is independent of the other branches of government.
While the emperor has no direct political power, the role is still significant in Japan. The emperor is the principal symbol of the Japanese state and represents the nation's unity and continuity. The emperor's role is deeply rooted in Japan's history and culture, dating back to the founding of the Imperial House in 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu, according to Japanese mythology. The Imperial House of Japan is considered the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world.
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Former British colonies, including Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea
Former British colonies that practice constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary.
Australia
Australia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The British monarch is the chief of state, represented by the governor-general, while the prime minister is the head of government.
New Zealand
The New Zealand monarchy has evolved to become a distinctly New Zealand institution, represented by unique symbols. The King of New Zealand is legally considered a distinct monarch from the monarch of the United Kingdom. The King's constitutional roles have been almost entirely delegated to a governor-general, whom he appoints on the advice of the prime minister.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The current monarch and head of state is King Charles III, who is constitutionally represented by the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea. The Governor-General's roles and powers are laid out by the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
Other former British colonies that are constitutional monarchies include Barbados (until 2021), South Africa (1910-1961), Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) (1948-1972), Fiji (1970-1987), the Gambia (1965-1970), Ghana (1957-1960), Guyana (1966-1970), Mauritius (1968-1992), Trinidad and Tobago (1962-1976), and the Solomon Islands.
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Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, and other former constitutional monarchies
Barbados was a constitutional monarchy from its independence in 1966 until 2021, when it became a republic. During this time, it was a part of the Commonwealth of Nations, with a Governor-General representing the Monarchy of Barbados. The Governor-General was appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister of Barbados and was responsible for carrying out most of the Queen's domestic duties. The Crown's main duty was to appoint the Prime Minister, who would then advise the monarch on how to execute their powers. The monarch's role was largely symbolic, serving as a symbol of legal authority.
Brazil was a constitutional monarchy from 1822, with the proclamation of independence and the rise of the Empire of Brazil by Pedro I, until 1889, when a military coup d'état deposed Pedro II and established the First Brazilian Republic. There have been several monarchist movements since, with the emergence and growth of monarchist organisations visible, especially in anti-government protests.
Bulgaria was a constitutional monarchy from its re-emergence as a state in 1878 until the abolition of the monarchy in 1946. During this period, it was known as the Principality of Bulgaria and, after gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908, the Kingdom of Bulgaria. The Bulgarian monarchs used the title "Knyaz of Bulgaria" (or "Prince of Bulgaria") until independence, after which they adopted the title "Tsar of the Bulgarians" (generally translated as "King of the Bulgarians" internationally).
Other nations that were constitutional monarchies for some period after their independence include South Africa (1910-1961), Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) (1948-1972), Fiji (1970-1987), The Gambia (1965-1970), Ghana (1957-1960), Guyana (1966-1970), Mauritius (1968-1992), Trinidad and Tobago (1962-1976), and Barbados (1966-2021).
A constitutional monarchy is a system in which the monarch acts as a non-party political ceremonial head of state under the constitution, typically with limited powers. While the monarch may hold formal authority, they no longer personally set public policy or choose political leaders.
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Andorra, Aruba, Belize, Canada, and other nations where the British monarch is the Head of State
The British monarchy, also known as the monarchy of the United Kingdom, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom, where a hereditary monarch acts as the head of state. The current monarch is King Charles III, who ascended the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. In addition to the United Kingdom, there are fourteen other independent sovereign states that recognise the British monarch as their own. These states are called the Commonwealth realms, and they include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. While the monarch is shared, each Commonwealth realm is sovereign and independent of the others, with the monarch assuming a unique and distinct role in each country.
Andorra is a unique case of a diarchy, or "parliamentary coprincipality", where the Bishop of Urgell and the President of France serve as joint heads of state. This arrangement dates back to the 11th century when a dispute arose between the bishop of Urgell and the count of Foix, leading to a treaty in 1278 that established Andorra's sovereignty as shared between the two parties. While Andorra's co-princes possess significant powers, such as appointing the head of government and accrediting diplomatic representatives, their role is carefully defined by the Andorran Constitution, which outlines the specific powers they may exercise independently and those that require the approval of the "Síndic General", the Andorran legislature.
Aruba and Belize are also part of the Commonwealth of Nations, a group of 56 independent countries that collaborate and share a historical connection to the British monarchy. While they recognise the British monarch as their head of state, they possess their own sovereignty and independence in governing their nations.
Canada, as a constitutional monarchy, recognises the British Monarch as its head of state, with the monarch's powers and responsibilities defined and limited by the Canadian Constitution and other laws. The monarch's role in Canada is primarily ceremonial and non-partisan, carried out by the Governor General, who is the monarch's representative in the country. The Governor General has important constitutional duties, including welcoming foreign dignitaries, accepting credentials of ambassadors, and leading delegations during state visits to promote Canada internationally.
In summary, Andorra, Aruba, Belize, Canada, and other nations where the British monarch is the head of state exhibit a range of governmental structures, from unique diarchies to constitutional monarchies within the Commonwealth. Despite sharing the same figurehead, these nations maintain their sovereignty and independence, with the monarch's role adapted to the specific needs and contexts of each country.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch acts as a non-party political ceremonial head of state under the constitution. The constitution allocates the government’s power to the legislature and judiciary.
Many nations practice constitutional monarchy, including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Cambodia, Japan, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tonga, and many others.
In a constitutional monarchy, the head of state is typically a king or queen, and the head of government is the prime minister. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a purely ceremonial leader. The legislature holds most of the political power, while the monarch serves as a symbol of the nation.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is limited by a constitution, whereas in an absolute monarchy, the monarch holds unlimited political power.
Barbados was a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth of Nations until 2021, when it became a republic.
