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Monarchy of the United Kingdom



Map of the British Empire in 1921
Map of the British Empire in 1921

Between the Balfour Declaration of 1926 and the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931 the unitary British Crown that operated over the entire empire was replaced by separate Crowns for each Dominion. Thus, the institution of the monarchy ceased to be exclusively British, the particular British monarchy existing only within the Crown's British jurisdiction, the UK. Reflecting this, George VI was separately King of the United Kingdom, King of Australia, King of Canada, and so forth. This "division" was enhanced with the subsequent patriation of each Realm's constitution from the UK over the ensuing decades.[61]

Formerly every member of the British Commonwealth was a Commonwealth Realm. However, when India became a republic in 1950, it was decided that it should be permitted to remain in the Commonwealth, even though it would no longer share a common monarch with the other Commonwealth Realms.[62] It was nevertheless decided that the British monarch would be acknowledged as "Head of the Commonwealth" in all Commonwealth member states, whether realms or not. The position is purely ceremonial.[63]

George V's death in 1936 was followed by the accession of Edward VIII, who caused a public scandal by announcing his desire to marry a divorced American woman, Wallis Simpson, even though the Church of England opposed the remarriage of divorcées. Accordingly, Edward announced his intention to abdicate; the Parliaments of the United Kingdom and of other Commonwealth realms granted his request. Edward VIII and any children by his new wife were excluded from the line of succession, and the Crown went to his brother, George VI.[64] George served as a rallying figure for the British people during the Second World War, making morale-boosting visits to the troops as well as to munitions factories and to areas bombed by Nazi Germany. George VI was the last British monarch to hold the title "Emperor of India", a title relinquished when India became independent in 1947.[65]

George VI's death in 1952 was followed by the accession of the present monarch, Elizabeth II. Like her recent predecessors, Elizabeth II continues to function as a constitutional monarch. During her reign, there has been some support for the republican movement, especially due to negative publicity associated with the Royal Family (for instance, following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales).[66] Nevertheless, a large majority of the British public supports the continuation of the monarchy.[67]

[

Residences

Buckingham Palace, the monarch's principal residence
Buckingham Palace, the monarch's principal residence
Holyrood Palace, the monarch's official Scottish residence
Holyrood Palace, the monarch's official Scottish residence

The Sovereign's primary official residence is Buckingham Palace in the City of Westminster. It is the site of most state banquets, investitures, royal christenings and other ceremonies. Visiting heads of state usually stay in Buckingham Palace. Another principal residence is Windsor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world.[68] It is used principally as a weekend retreat; the monarch also resides there during Royal Ascot, an annual race meeting that forms a major part of the social calendar. The Sovereign's principal official residence in Scotland is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, more commonly called Holyrood Palace, in Edinburgh. The monarch stays at Holyrood Palace for at least one week each year, and when visiting Scotland on state occasions.[69]

There are other palaces not used as residences by the monarch. The Palace of Westminster was the Sovereign's primary residence until 1530; although it is still officially a royal palace, it is the home of both Houses of Parliament. Thereafter the Sovereign's principal London residence was the Palace of Whitehall, which was destroyed by fire in 1698, to be replaced by St James's Palace. Although replaced as the monarch's primary residence by Buckingham Palace in 1837, St James's is still used for various official functions. For example, foreign ambassadors are accredited to the Court of St James's, and the Palace is the site of the meeting of the Accession Council.[70][12] It is not one of the Sovereign's official residences: it is used by other members of the Royal Family.[71] Other residences used by the Royal Family include Clarence House, the home of the heir-apparent, The Prince of Wales, and Kensington Palace.

The aforementioned residences belong to the Crown; they are held in trust for future rulers, and cannot be sold by the monarch.[72] The monarch also owns homes in a private capacity: Sandringham House in Norfolk, is typically used from Christmas to the end of January; during parts of August and September the monarch resides in Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire in Scotland.

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Style

Main article: Style of the British Sovereign

The present Sovereign's full style and title is "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".[73] The title "Head of the Commonwealth" is held by the Queen personally, and is not vested in the British Crown.[74] Pope Leo X first granted the title "Defender of the Faith" to King Henry VIII in 1521, rewarding him for his support of the Papacy during the early years of the Protestant Reformation, particularly for his book the Defence of the Seven Sacraments.[75] Henry VIII later broke from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England; Pope Paul III revoked the grant, but Parliament passed a law authorising its continued use.[76]

The Sovereign is known as "His Majesty" or "Her Majesty": in certain formal circumstances, "Most Gracious Majesty" or "Most Excellent Majesty" is used. The form "Britannic Majesty" appears in international treaties and on passports to differentiate the British monarch from foreign rulers. Queens Consort (wives of Kings) and Queens Dowager (widows of Kings) are entitled to the style "Majesty", but husbands of female monarchs are not. Thus the husband of the present Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, is styled "Royal Highness".

The monarch chooses his or her regnal name, not necessarily his or her first name — King George VI, King Edward VII and Queen Victoria did not use their first names.

The ordinal used for the monarch takes into account only monarchs since the Norman conquest of England. If only one monarch has used a particular name, no ordinal is used; for example, Queen Victoria is not known as "Victoria I". After the Union of England and Scotland in 1707, numbering was based on previous English monarchs, not Scottish ones. In 1953 Scottish nationalists challenged the right of the Queen to style herself "Elizabeth II", on the grounds that there had never before been an "Elizabeth I" in Scotland. In MacCormick v. Lord Advocate, the Scottish Court of Session ruled against the plaintiffs, finding that the Queen's title was a matter of her own choice and prerogative. Nevertheless, it was announced that future monarchs would use the higher of the English and Scottish ordinals. Retroactively applying this policy yields no change in numbering.

Traditionally, the signature of the monarch includes their regnal name but not ordinal, followed by the letter R, which stands for rex or regina (Latin for king and queen, respectively). The present monarch's signature is "Elizabeth R". From 1877 until 1948 reigning monarchs also added the letter I to their signatures, standing for imperator or imperatrix (emperor or empress in Latin), due to their status as Emperor or Empress of India. Queen Victoria, for example, signed her name, "Victoria RI" from 1877 on.

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Arms of Dominion

Main article: Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
The Royal Standard is the Sovereign's official flag in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Royal Standard is the Sovereign's official flag in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
A slightly different form of the Royal Standard is used in Scotland.
A slightly different form of the Royal Standard is used in Scotland.

The coat of arms used by the Sovereign, known as the Arms of Dominion, are "Quarterly, I and IV Gules three lions passant guardant in pale Or [for England]; II Or a lion rampant within a double tressure flory-counter-flory Gules [for Scotland]; III Azure a harp Or stringed Argent [for Ireland]". The supporters are the lion and the unicorn; the motto is "Dieu et mon droit" (French for "God and my Right", which had been the personal motto of Henry VIII and has been the Sovereign's motto since his reign). Ireland is represented somewhat controversially, as most of the island is the independent Republic of Ireland, not a part of the United Kingdom — only Northern Ireland, a sixth of the island, is part of the UK.

In Scotland the monarch uses an alternative form of the Arms of Dominion in which quarters I and IV represent Scotland, II England, and III Ireland. The motto is "Nemo me impune lacessit" (Latin for "No-one provokes me with impunity"); the supporters are the unicorn and lion.

The monarch's official flag in the United Kingdom is the Royal Standard, and depicts the Arms of Dominion. (The Royal Standard used in Scotland depicts the Scottish version of the arms.) This flag is flown only from buildings, vessels and vehicles in which the Sovereign is present; elsewhere, the Union Flag is flown. The Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast because there is always a sovereign: when one dies, his or her successor becomes the sovereign instantly.

[

Notes

  1. ^ History of the Monarchy: Overview. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-21.
  2. ^ Toporoski, Richard. The Invisible Crown. Monarchy Canada. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  3. ^ O’Donohue v. Canada, 2003 CanLII 41404 (ON S.C.). Canadian Legal Information Institute (2003-06-26). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  4. ^ Zines, The High Court and the Constitution, 4th ed. (1997) at 314: "The Queen as monarch of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is in a position resembling that of the King of Scotland and of England between 1603 and 1707 when two independent countries had a common sovereign"; the relationship between England and Scotland during those years is described as a personal union.
  5. ^ Corbett, P. E. (1940). "The Status of the British Commonwealth in International Law". The University of Toronto Law Journal 3: 348. doi:10.2307/824318. 
  6. ^ Scott, F. R. (January 1944). "The End of Dominion Status". The American Journal of International Law 38: 34–49. doi:10.2307/2192530. 
  7. ^ R v Foreign Secretary; Ex parte Indian Association, QB 892 at 928; as referenced in High Court of Australia: Sue v Hill [1999 HCA 30; 23 June 1999; S179/1998 and B49/1998]
  8. ^ The English Court of Appeal ruled in 1982 while "there is only one person who is the Sovereign within the British Commonwealth ... in matters of law and government the Queen of the United Kingdom, for example, is entirely independent and distinct from the Queen of Canada".R v Foreign Secretary; Ex parte Indian Association, QB 892 at 928; as referenced in High Court of Australia: Sue v Hill [1999 HCA 30; 23 June 1999; S179/1998 and B49/1998]
  9. ^ Justice Rouleau in a 2003 court ruling wrote that "Union under the ... Crown together with other Commonwealth countries [is a] constitutional principle." O’Donohue v. Canada, 2003 CanLII 41404 (ON S.C.)
  10. ^ The Act of Settlement 1701. BBC h2g2 (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  11. ^ Move to change succession laws. BBC News (2008-04-20). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  12. ^ a b Ceremonies: Accession. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  13. ^ Speck, W. A. (2004–2008). James II. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  14. ^ "Move to change succession laws", BBC News, 20 April, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-21. 
  15. ^ a b Regency Act 1953. Ministry of Justice (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  16. ^ Hibbert, Christopher (2004–8). George IV. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  17. ^ Bates, Stephen (2004-06-25). The price of monarchy: two pints of milk. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  18. ^ Bowley, Graham (2007-07-15). Windows Opening on the Royal Family’s Wealth. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  19. ^ UK royals 'not Europe's richest'. BBC News (1999-06-04). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  20. ^ The Royal Collection. The official web site of the British Monarchy. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
  21. ^ Bagehot, The English Constitution p. 9
  22. ^ The Monarchy Today: Queen and Church. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-22.
  23. ^ Roles and Responsibilities: Overview. The Archbishop of Canterbury (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-22.
  24. ^ a b Tomkins, Adam, Public Law (N.Y.: Oxford Univ. Press (Clarendon Law ser.), 2003).
  25. ^ Brazier, Ministers of the Crown p. 81
  26. ^ Waldron, The Law (Routledge, 1990) pp. 59–60
  27. ^ Queen and Prime Minister. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  28. ^ Results and analysis: General election, 10 October 1974. Political Science Resources (2008-01-03). Retrieved on 2008-04-22.
  29. ^ Brock, Michael (2004–8). William IV. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-22.
  30. ^ Bagehot, The English Constitution p. 75
  31. ^ A Code of Ethics and Procedural Guidance for Ministers'. Cabinet Office (July 2001). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  32. ^ UK Politics: Dewar appointed First Minister. BBC News (1999-05-17). Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
  33. ^ Brief overview. Welsh Assembly Government (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
  34. ^ Northern Ireland Act 1998. Office of Public Sector Information (1998). Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
  35. ^ Citizenship ceremonies. Home Office: UK Border Agency (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
  36. ^ Ceremony and symbol: National Anthem. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
  37. ^ Ceremony and Symbol: Coinage and Banknotes. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
  38. ^ a b PASC Publishes Government Defence Of Its Sweeping Prerogative Powers. UK Parliament (2002). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  39. ^ The Royal Prerogative. House of Commons Library (2005-12-21). Retrieved on 2008-04-23.
  40. ^ About Parliament: State Opening of Parliament. UK Parliament (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  41. ^ A Guide to Prorogation. BBC News (2007-11-07). Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  42. ^ In 1926, Lord Byng of Vimy, Governor-General of Canada (representing the British crown in the Dominion of Canada), refused a request by the Prime Minister of Canada to dissolve a minority parliament, precipitating a constitutional crisis. See King-Byng Affair.)
  43. ^ 1911 Parliament Act. Spartacus (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  44. ^ Crabbe, V.C.R.A.C., Understanding Statutes (Cavendish Publishing, 1994), p. 17
  45. ^ Royal Assent. BBC News (2006-01-24). Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
  46. ^ U.S. Constitution, Article I, section 7.
  47. ^ Queen and State: Fount of Justice. The Canadian Monarchy (2006-09-08). Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
  48. ^ Dyer, Clare (2003-10-21). Mystery lifted on Queen's powers. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
  49. ^ Orders of Chivalry. The UK Honours System (2008). Retrieved on 2008-05-09.
  50. ^ 80 Facts About the Queen. The Official Website of the British Monarchy. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
  51. ^ Velde, François (2006-07-12). Royal Arms, Styles, and Titles of Great Britain: Westminster, 20 Oct 1604.. Heraldica. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
  52. ^ George I. BBC (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  53. ^ Gibbs, G. C. (2004–8). George I. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  54. ^ Sir Robert Walpole. BBC (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  55. ^ Cannon, John (2004–8). George III. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  56. ^ Sayer, Jane E. (2004-8). Adrian IV. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  57. ^ Flanagan, M. T.. Dermot MacMurrough. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  58. ^ a b Ives, E. W. (2004–8). Henry VIII. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  59. ^ Government of Ireland Act 1920. Ministry of Justice (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  60. ^ Republic of Ireland Act 1949. Ministry of Justice (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  61. ^ Statute of Westminster 1931. Government of Nova Scotia (2001-10-11). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  62. ^ India — History. Commonwealth Secretariat (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  63. ^ Powall, Katy (2007-08-23). British Queen Opens Commonwealth Summit. The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  64. ^ Matthew, H. C. G. (September 2004). Edward VIII. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  65. ^ Matthew, H. C. G. (September 2004). George VI. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  66. ^ Seely, Robert (2007-09-05). Can the Windsors survive Diana's death?. Britannia Internet Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  67. ^ Grice, Andrew (2002-04-09). Polls reveal big rise in support for monarchy. The Independent. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  68. ^ Royal Residences: Windsor Castle. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  69. ^ Royal Residences: The Palace of Holyroodhouse. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  70. ^ Royal Insight: Ceremonies. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  71. ^ English Royal Palaces: St. James' Palace. The Heritage Trail (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  72. ^ A brief history of Historic Royal Palaces. Historic Royal Palaces. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  73. ^ Style and titles of the Queen. The official website of the British Monarchy (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  74. ^ Head of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth Secretariat (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
  75. ^ Hackett, Francis. Henry the Eight (New York: Dorace Liberight, 1929), p. 125
  76. ^ Royal Styles: 1521–1553. Archontology (2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-20.

[

References

  • Bagehot, Walter, The English Constitution (Ed. Paul Smith, Cambridge University Press, 2001)
  • Blackstone, Sir William. (1765). Commentaries on the Laws of England. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • British Monarchy. (2005). Official website.
  • Brazier, Rodney, Ministers of the Crown (Oxford University Press, 1997)
  • Brock, Michael, ‘William IV (1765–1837)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 22 April 2008
  • Cannon, John, and Ralph Griffiths. (2000). The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Cannon, John, ‘George III (1738–1820)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 20 April 2008
  • Crabbe, V.C.R.A.C., Understanding Statutes (Cavendish Publishing, 1994)
  • Farnborough, Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron. (1896). Constitutional History of England since the Accession of George the Third, 11th ed. London: Longmans, Green and Co.
  • Flanagan, M. T., ‘Mac Murchada, Diarmait (c.1110–1171)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 20 April 2008
  • Fraser, Lady Antonia (Editor). (1975). The Lives of the Kings & Queens of England. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
  • The House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee. (2003). "The Royal Prerogative."
  • Hackett, Francis. Henry the Eight (New York: Dorace Liberight, 1929)
  • Hibbert, Christopher, ‘George IV (1762–1830)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 20 April 2008
  • Ives, E. W., ‘Henry VIII (1491–1547)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 20 April 2008
  • Matthew, H. C. G., ‘Edward VIII [later Prince Edward, duke of Windsor] (1894–1972)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 20 April 2008
    • ‘George VI (1895–1952)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Oct 2007 accessed 20 April 2008
  • Raphael, D.D., Donald Limon, and W.R. McKay. (2004). Erskine May: Parliamentary Practice, 23rd ed. London: Butterworths Tolley.
  • Sayers, Jane E., ‘Adrian IV (d. 1159)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 accessed 20 April 2008
  • Speck, W. A. ‘James II and VII (1633–1701)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Jan 2008 accessed 20 April 2008
  • Waldron, Jeremy, The Law (Routledge, 1990)

[

Further reading

  • Michie, Alan A. God Save the Queen: A Modern Monarchy — What it is and What it Does April 1953: New York William Sloane Associates (British Title: The Crown and the People November 1952:London)

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