What kind of authority does Queen Elisabeth and the royal family actually have in England?

Question

What kind of authority does Queen Elisabeth and the royal family actually have in England?

Answer 1

none but what else would have to waist our money on and the sir, lords. warlords and all the rest of hangers on

Answer 2

While there are very high level powers in theory - not the least of which are the status of commander in chief of the armed forces, and the right to dsmiss a Prime Minister -  they are actually exercised - usually in an arrogant fashion - by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, and Stalinistic party discipline - in all three major parties - means that Parliament does not make abuse of these powers as difficult as it should.

In practice, the Queen can do little more than persuade or warn a Prime Minister, who is President in all but name.  It would be interesting to see, however, what would happen if an intelligent, forceful and charismatic king or queen, with a high level of popular support, challenged a Government on a major political issue, to the extent of calling for the support of the armed forces - and perhaps the people - in exceptionally exercising some of those constitutional powers personally.

Answer 3

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...

Among the powers possessed by the monarch in the United Kingdom under the Royal Prerogative are:

- The appointment and dismissal of ministers

- The dissolution of parliament and the calling of elections

Clemency and pardon

- The award of dignities and honors

- The declaration of war

The declaration of an emergency

- The grant of Charters of Incorporation

- The minting of coinage

- The issue and revocation of passports

- The expulsion of a foreign national from the United Kingdom

- The creation of new common law courts

- The creation of new universities

- The appointment of bishops and archbishops in the Church of England

- The printing of the authorized Church of England version of the Bible

- The publication of all statutes, legislative instruments and Orders-in-Council existing and new

- The exercise of jurisdiction over numerous Royal foundations of all kinds

- The appointment of Royal Commissions and Officers for any purposes

- The choice of the numbering of monarchs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Prero...

In addition to a monarch's constitutional duties, the monarch has an important role to play in public. A national figurehead, the monarch provides a focus for identity, offers recognition of achievement of all kinds, and supports the ideals of public and charitable work.

The monarch acts a focus for national unity and pride by means of regular visits in its country, its other realms, and overseas destinations. The monarch is supported by other members of the Royal Family, who also carry out thousands of visits each year.

The monarch recognises excellence and achievement. This takes place in many ways: through Royal visits which provide a 'seal of approval' to a charity or community; through the award of honours and prizes to outstanding individuals; and through messages sent to those celebrating special birthdays or wedding anniversaries.

The monarch and the Royal Family also play an important part in the public and voluntary sector. Through involvement with hundreds of charities, military units and other organisations, they promote the ideal of service to others.

Answer 4

None really, anything now is more ceremonial and tradition. The PM visits the Queen once a week to discuss matters of state and any new laws etc has to have the OK by the queen but in reality she doesn't really Vito any of them (otherwise we would probably still have legal hunting laws in this country). It is just a case of the PM, having a weekly discussion to inform her of what is currently going on in the state of politics (I mean I can't honestly see the pm telephoning the queen to make any sort of decisions.

No it is pure tradition now, the royal family is now more for income and tradition more than actual law makers.

I mean even the honours list (where people become OBE's MBE's etc are now decided not directly by the queen (though she may have influence in the decision making) but by a panel which again includes the PM.

We are in a weird way becoming a sort of warped republic.

Roll to when that does happen.

Answer 5

They have no real power & are more figureheads