There is a belief that the Queen of Great Britain performs exclusively ceremonial functions and does not participate in the adoption of state decisions. We checked whether this is really so.

It is believed that the British monarch "reigns, but does not rule." As the head of state, king or queen Congratulations Merry Christmas subjects, protrudes with an appeal in connection with the beginning of the pandemic of coronavirus, Opens Olympic Games and even communicates With foreign leaders. However, the legislative power belongs the country's parliament, and on most large international summites Great Britain Represents Prime Minister or Government Members. There is, however, the opposite point of view - it is expressed, for example, Nikolai Starikov in articlepublished in the journal Story. According to the publicist, in fact, the monarchy in Britain is “absolute”, and the queen only skillfully hides it.

Unlike most countries, there is no codified constitution in the UK, which would clearly describe the rights and obligations of the main institutions of power (as is done, for example, in Russia or USA). In the United Kingdom, instead of such a single document acts The “unwritten” constitution is a set of statutes, conventions, court decisions, contracts, traditions and customs from the accumulated centuries. The role of the monarch in this system was constantly reduced, but even now in Elizabeth II remain “Royal Prerogatives”, also known as “Reserve Forces” - instruments of the monarch’s participation in public administration. Moreover, now most of these functions Fulfills Parliament or members of the Cabinet of Ministers on behalf of the queen.

Even on the official website of the royal family Emphashes: “The role of the sovereign in the adoption of laws today is purely formal in nature, although the queen has the right“ to consult, encourage and prevent “his ministers through regular audiences with the Prime Minister”. At the same time, “as the head of state, the queen should remain strictly neutral in relation to any political question” - the monarch cannot even vote in the elections. Nevertheless, after them, the queen opens the work of the new convocation of the parliament and makes speech about this (by the way, the monarch himself writes, but the government) - without this, the parliament cannot start work. The final adoption of any law requires the approval of the head of state (Royal Assent), which may not give in theory, but the last time this happened at the beginning of the 18th century. When discussing legislative initiatives directly related to the “prerogative and interests of the crown”, consent (consent) will be requested from the monarch - it also usually managed to get it in modern history.

At the beginning of 2021, The Guardian Published A series of materials about how the royal family with the help of the Consent tool lobbyed the adoption of certain decisions. Journalists analyzed information from the national archive of Great Britain and We came to the conclusionthat several times Elizabeth II through its representatives and lawyers conveyed objections to a particular legislative initiative, thereby informally influencing the text of the future law. Moreover, according to The Guardian, about 1000 bills have passed through the procedure for obtaining consent over the past few decades, and not all of them directly concerned the royal family, which was required by definition.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Queen Elizabeth II
© Getty images

Although it is sometimes argued that one of the few real powers of the British monarch is the appointment of the Prime Minister, this is not entirely true. After the election, the king or queen Malicated Find a candidate that "will be able to enjoy the trust of the House of Commons." What is logical, this is usually the leader of the winning party. However, in exceptional cases, another decision can be made. Note that the head of state does not appoint the head of government, but Offers It is almost always accepted to form a cabinet of ministers - again, in accordance with the tradition, this proposal is almost always accepted. After the government begins its work, the Prime Minister and King or Queen are obliged to discuss current issues weekly and confidentially, and the monarch “can and is obliged to express their opinion”.

Similar duties of the monarch Performs And at the meetings of the Privy Council (Privy Council), which, in addition to the king or queen, includes all ministers, as well as representatives of parliament, delegates from the countries of the Commonwealth, representatives of the courts and other members appointed to life. Although for several centuries the sphere of responsibility of this body has narrowed significantly, it still engaged The affairs of approximately 1000 institutions, charitable foundations and companies supported by the royal family. The secret council also acts as a higher court for a number of overseas territories. Although the monarch presides at meetings of the Council, which pass In royal residences, and approves its decisions, the nature of these actions is the same as in the case of the decisions of the parliament.

In other words, although the British monarch today has certain “reserve forces”, their real use is very strictly limited. Researchers Robert Heisel and Bob Morris from the University College of London (UCL) We came to the conclusionThat in recent decades the volume of ceremonial functions among the British monarch has not changed much, while its exclusive rights gradually passed to other institutions. For example, although the formal announcement of the war remained the prerogative of the British monarch, in reality the decision on participation in hostilities is made in the government and parliament. The queen remained the right to pardon, which she sometimes Uses, and also Exceptional The right to assign the highest state awards.

Another expert from UCL, Philip Merphy, Notesthat in the case of the British queen, we are not talking about real power, but about the influence and authority, which are undoubtedly significant. It is also important that no one knows the content of weekly confidential conversations between the head of state and the head of government - it is possible that in certain situations the same authority of the queen may affect state decisions. How He emphasizes Murphy, a modern understanding of the constitutional monarchy in the UK is inextricably linked with the personality of Elizabeth II, who has been ruling for almost 70 years and rather strictly following existing written and unwritten agreements. However, with the advent of her heirs, the situation may change.