2 The Monarchy in Britain

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The Monarchy in Britain
King Charles III delivering a speech in the House of Lords, September

2022. Seated by his side is Queen Consort, Camilla Parker. (The reigning
King’s wife)
King Charles III (third is the ordinal form of the cardinal number three)
delivering a speech during his Coronation ceremony in the House of
Lords. On his right, Prince William, Prince of Wales is attending the
ceremony. He is married to Katherine (Kate) Middleton. He is heir to the
British throne after the death of his father, King Charles III. William's
eldest child, Prince George, is second in line, followed by George's
younger sister, Princess Charlotte, followed by her younger brother,
Prince Louis.
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Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, is Duke of Sussex. He is married

to Meghan Markle (Duchess of Sussex). Both are sons of Princess Diana.
Their grandfather is King Philip Mountbatten (1921-2021). He was given
the title: Duke of Edinburgh.
King Charles III ascended (ascension) the throne in September 2022 after
the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The queen, who died at the
age of 96, became the country’s longest-serving monarch with 70 years
on the throne. She ascended the throne in 1952 at the age of 25. In
comparison, her son Charles (the heir to the British throne) was crowned
king at the age of73, making him the oldest person in British history to be
King.
The Monarchy in Britain

In the United Kingdom the King is a constitutional monarch; he rules
according to a, and his power is limited by the constitution. In fact, he
reigns but does not rule. Real powers of running the country are in the
hands of the Prime minister and the other Cabinet members. He must
work in conjunction with Parliament, the country's legislative body. In
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most current constitutional monarchies, the monarch mainly undertakes

ceremonial duties. The monarch is symbol of the nation’s stability, unity,
and continuity.
At home, he is the Head of State, and abroad, he is the Head of the
Nation for the Commonwealth countries (a national icon). The monarch
is the United Kingdom's most important public figure and a living
symbol of the nation's power and sovereignty.
The Monarch begins his daily duties with his scheduled, weekly meeting
with the Prime Minister. The King actually appoints him to his office
after the elections are over. This means that the monarch appoints the
leader of the political party which wins a majority of seats in parliament.
The leader of the party which fails to obtain the majority of votes
automatically becomes the leader of the Opposition. The sovereign asks
him or her to form the government.
During his talks with the King, the Prime Minister has a list of items to
discuss, and he briefs (briefing) the monarch on parliament’s latest
debates, and the bills being debated in the House of Commons. After a
law is discussed and approved (passed) in the Commons and in the
Lords respectively, it needs the Royal Assent (signature) to become a
binding law. Technically speaking, it becomes an Act of Parliament (bill
< act).
The sovereign cannot veto any law passed by the two houses of
Parliament because he does not want to interfere in the decisions taken
by Parliament as the supreme legislative institution in the country.
The Prime Minister also advises the King about what to include in his
opening speech in Parliament. The Monarch usually presides over the
opening ceremony of Parliament and delivers as have just said a speech
in which he outlines the government’s policies and objectives.
Next, the Prime Minister sets a list of appointments of ministers who will
form the government. These are usually eminent members of his own
party.
The monarch appoints the new members of the House of Lords, the
senior judges (serving as the Supreme Court judges), Archbishop's and
bishops for the Church of England (called Lords Spiritual). On the advice
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of the Prime Minister, the King also bestows honours and distinctions to
several British citizens in recognition of their good services for their
country. These include scientists, academicians, sportsmen, artists, and
ex-prime ministers who automatically become members of the House of
Lords after they finish their office as prime ministers.
During his regular meetings with the Monarch, the Prime Minister also
updates the King on the latest developments on the international scene,
including wars, conflicts, humanitarian crises, epidemics, etc. and the
role Great Britain plays in those affairs.
In his quality as the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, the
Monarch has the power to declare war, to commission (give special
tasks) and decommission military officers, and base his decisions on
their appraisal of military issues both at home and abroad. Of course, the
King leaves military decisions to experts, namely Parliamentary
committees and military leader, but he still appreciates knowing exactly
what is going on and which actions to take.
The monarch is the United Kingdom's primary public relations figure
and he takes his responsibilities in this area very seriously. His
walkabouts, the royal processions, the visits and tours that he makes all
around the country, allow him to meet his subjects in person. Thousands
of people meet on the grounds of Buckingham Palace on many occasions
to greet the monarch as he moves from the Parliament building in
Westminster to Buckingham Palace in his royal Chariot drawn by horses.
The Monarch also has a scheduled meeting with several members of his
Privy Council, which is composed of his advisors and high officials who
advise him on important matters of policy. That is why in the UK we
have a constitutional monarchy; the king does not enjoy absolute power
as a sovereign. He must always work in close collaboration with
Parliament.
In brief, the symbolic duties of the British Monarch are as follows:
The King is the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
He is the Head of State.
He is the Head of the Nation.
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He gives the Royal Assent to bills passed by both houses of Parliament.

He is Head of the Commonwealth countries (the free association of 53
former colonies of Britain).
He is Head of the English Church.
He is Head of the Judiciary.
He appoints the Prime Minister.
He appoints the government ministers on the advice of the Prime
Minister.
He chairs monthly meetings with the Privy Council.
He has a weekly audience with the Prime Minister.
He receives daily boxes of state papers for his signature, and for his
information.
He supports the ideal of voluntary service and charity. The royal family
members are engaged in different fund-raising and charity association to
help the poor, the homeless, orphaned children, humanitarian causes,
local organisations. The King and other members of the royal family are
patrons of over 1000 charities (Oxfam, e.g., a leading UK charity
organisation fighting global poverty) and other organisations in the UK
and the Commonwealth.
The King is Head of State of 14 other countries around the world (apart
from the UK), known as the Realms. They include Australia, Canada,
Jamaica, and New Zealand.
He appoints high officers of the Armed Forces. He has the right to
declare war on the advice of Army Generals and parliamentary
committee’s members.
He appoints members of the House of Lords (unelected House).
He appoints Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England. (2
Archbishops and 24 Bishops)
He officially opens Parliament, and this marks the formal start of the
parliamentary year, by delivering the Monarch’s Speech, which sets out
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the agenda for the coming session, and outlining proposed policies and
legislation. This big event is known as the State Opening of Parliament.
He appoints British ambassadors and receives foreign ones.

He receives foreign Heads of State and organises royal banquets on their
behalf.
He makes state visits to foreign countries and meets foreign leaders.
He recognises success and excellence and, accordingly, confers honours
and distinctions on notable people in society.
The King has the right to dissolve Parliament.

Finally, it is a tradition that dates back to the 12th century in the Royal
Family. British Monarchs do actually own all the swans and, whales,
dolphins, and sturgeons in England. The reigning monarchs were given
symbolic ownership of these species in the 12th century to protect them
from poachers.
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The Monarchy in Britain

King Charles III delivering a speech in the House of Lords, September

Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, is Duke of Sussex. He is married

The Monarchy in Britain

most current constitutional monarchies, the monarch mainly undertakes

He gives the Royal Assent to bills passed by both houses of Parliament.

He appoints British ambassadors and receives foreign ones.

The King has the right to dissolve Parliament.

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