How much actual power does The Queen have?

Question

I'm wondering how much political power Queen Elizabeth II has over both the UK and the other Commonwealth Realms. Is it true that she can seize any piece of land she likes? Does that differ between different places where she is queen?

Does she actually have any power within parliament or a seat in the House of Commons or Lords or anything?

Answer 1

The crown always has the power to expropriate land.  I haven't heard of that done in quite a while now, but they used to do it to build specific roadways and railways, that kind of thing. I imagine it is still applied for many reasons.

It's not the Queen herself per se but her representatives empowered to act on her behalf who have the authority.

Here is some interesting reading from a law office which gives a bit of insight. It's complicated and as you can see there are acts, bylaws, procedures, etc. which must be followed and all levels of government must have legislation in place to do so.

http://www.burgarrowe.com/nl_proceduresu...

Answer 2

The British monarchy is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, and holds the now constitutional position of head of state. According to convention, the Queen's powers are exercised upon the advice of her prime minister. She does however possess certain reserve powers which she may exercise at her own discretion.

In the UK, the Queen (or King, when there is a male monarch) has numerous theoretical personal prerogatives. In practice, however, with the exception of the appointment of a prime minister, which is done with every prime minister, there are few circumstances in modern British government where these could be justifiably exercised; they have rarely been exercised in the last century. These powers could be exercised in an emergency such as a constitutional crisis. The monarch's personal prerogatives are:

- The refusal to dissolve Parliament when requested by the Prime Minister.

- To appoint a Prime Minister of her own choosing.

- The dismissal of a Prime Minister and his Government on the Monarch's own authority.

- The refusal of the Royal Assent.

- The refusal of the "Queen's Consent," where direct monarchical assent is required for a bill affecting, directly or by implication, the prerogative, hereditary revenues—including ultimus haeres, treasure trove, and bona vacantia—or the personal property or interests of the Crown to be heard in Parliament.

It has long been established in the uncodified Constitution of the United Kingdom that political power is ultimately exercised by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, of which the Sovereign is a non-partisan component, along with the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Thus, as the modern British monarchy is a constitutional one, the Sovereign's role is in practice limited to non-partisan functions (such as being the fount of honour).

In practice, political power is exercised today through Parliament and by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The sovereign also holds the title of Supreme Governor of the established Church of England. The monarch holds a weekly audience with the Prime Minister, as well as regular audiences with other members of the Cabinet. The monarch may express his or her views, but, as a constitutional ruler, must ultimately accept the Prime Minister's and Cabinet's decisions.

Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_mon...

Answer 3

For the Queen to seize land, she must prove to Parliament that it would be for the good of the Commonwealth. She would have to decree the land 'terra nullius' or ask the native people there to secede.

She has the power to sit as head of the Parliament when in Parliament. Vice regal, ceremonial role as head of state.

Answer 4

she has very little she is more like an icon

Answer 5

Her greatest powers are:

To dissolve Parliament (or refuse to dissolve Parliament)

Appoint a Prime Minister (although she usually appoints the leader of the majority party, she doesn't have to)

Refuse to grant Royal Consent to a law that requires it (the equivalent to a veto)/

In reality, the modern Monarch is highly unlikely to do anything that would lead to a constitutional crisis.

Answer 6

The Queen speaks fluent French and often uses the language for Audiences and State Visits. Her Majesty does not require an interpreter.

Answer 7

she can do what ever she wants to do, in an country that she is the head of state, she and do this with or with out the prime ministers approval.

the fact that she dose not use these powers on a day-to-day basis, dose not mean that she dose not have them. you all seem to forget that she is a Queen, and can do prity much what ever she likes.

she dose not use these powers as she believes that the decisions are best made by prime ministers that her subjects elect.

Answer 8

In theory, the Queen possesses various royal prerogatives, but by long-established constitutional usage, exercises them, or not, only on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is responsible to Parliament.  The Queen has the ability, in extreme situations, to act independently (the "reserve power"), but she is not likely to do this except in a grave emergency.  If she acted in such a manner, it would precipitate a constitutional crisis and result in the resignation of the government and new elections.

Answer 9

None, she is just s figure head. Any she is supposed to have is controlled by the government.

Answer 10

In Canada almost none. She can call an election whever she wants if she doesn't like the outcome of elections, but i doubt she would ever do that. The governor general does all of her bidding, The Queen is just a figure head who appears on coins and stamps

Answer 11

I think her only real power is to rule over Parliment

Answer 12

she has no real power. she is just an icon from years past