What kind of political power does the Queen of England have?

Question

I heard that she and the rest of the royal family are just figure heads. Do they have any say in the law-making process? Does the Queen get paid? If so, by who?

Answer 1

The Queen of England has both authoritative and consultative powers. Authoritative because she is the Queen and consultative because she can be consulted when important decisions are made.

Answer 2

The Queen's power is primarily honorary. She or any reigning monarch, cannot enter the House of Commons, Parliament, unless she is invited as a guest.  Prime Ministers  often seek the Queen's advice and they must go to her when they wish to dissolve Parliament.  One of the reasons for the distinction is that the Queen is the titular head of the Church of England., and a definite separation of church and state is maintained.

The Queen and other monarchs before her are always kept up to date on political issues.

I tend to be a monarchist. I see the monarchy in Great Britain as the solid enduring base on which Britain and what's left of the commonwealth can stand and survive. In times of great turmoil, the politicians can make the tough decisions with quiet diplomacy with the monarch, but the monarch is called upon to show the grounded strength that is Great Britain and, by doing so, to ease the fears of the people.

Is it worth the stipend paid to the monarch? You bet.

I am sure others would disagree.  But I see how hard the Royal Family works for charities, etc., and I wouldn't want to work that much.

Britain has a Constitutional Monarchy. It is not the kind of monarchy where the reigning king or queen is the government.

Given today's  politics...is a Republic really better? Government in Great Britain continues to work quite well with it's Parliament and Monarch.

Answer 3

She has the power to live rich and take lots of foreign holidays where people suck up to her.

Answer 4

HM the Queen does get paid.  The money is provided by taxpayers.  Most heads of state are paid this way.  Her Majesty does not have a direct role in the law-making process, but she can influence certain things without interfering with the work of Parliament.  It is Parliament which makes the laws in the UK.

Answer 5

Just to add a word about the Queen getting paid.

The payment made to the Queen costs each taxpayer in this country a lot less than one pound per year. I think that's money well spent.

There is a great love for the Queen, but less and less for what are called the "hangers on", the extended members of the Royal Family.

Answer 6

She has the power to sit on her *** and get paid for it through taxpayer dollars.

Answer 7

none.

Answer 8

She can dissolve Parliament, among other things.

Answer 9

She has no power whatsoever. She merely endorses what her elected Government decides.  No say in lawmaking either.  She gets paid handsomely but also has huge personal wealth.