What powers has the monarchy lost over the years?

Question

For example, how Queen Elizabeth II no longer has control over the army.

Answer 1

The British monarchy has lost all but ceremonial powers, that's what makes it a constitutional monarchy. The country is ruled by the Parliament, and with decentralisation, there is less direct rule from London and parliamentary democracy is now in Northern Ireland (again) and Scotland, except over some certain areas (such as the military etc).

The beginning of this started with the Magna Carta, forced on King John by the barons in 1204, and which, despite the Republic (or Protectorate) under Cromwell (1640-1660, follwoed by the Stuart Restoration) culminated in the Glorius Revolution of 1688, wjhere the parliament effectively changed the dynasty and prevented any possibility of a Stuart restoration. parliament again chose the Elector of hanover, in 1714, as King George 1...of which the present Queen is a direct descendant (and much less so of William the Conqueror)...but he was Protestant. The monarch cannot act politically or challenge parliament. It took several hundred years but parliamentary ascendancy won over absolute monarchy, and Queen Elizabeth...much like her great grandmother Queen Victoria...is a constitutional monarch and never had any control of the parliament, Government (which is formed by the lower House of Representatives (which has stripped the hereditary right of the barons of the House of Lords, as most of Lords are govt appointed Life Peers now). The prime Minister of the leading party in parliemnt is the leader and governs, the monarch is just Head of State. It is not like the US system where the two are combined.

Although the Queen (or monarch) technically appoints ministers, it is strictly on the Government's 'advice' - she still is Head of State, and does things such as open parliament each year, but the position is ceremonial. The monarch reigns, but does not rule. Elizabeth II never lost control...she never had any to begin with!

What she has lost is the right to not pay income tax...a right only granted to her grandfather which should never have happened...and that she had to foot some of the bill when Windsor castle burned, as it's a private residence and there was NOT widespread public support for the taxpayer to pay for repairs for one of the wealthiest people in the world...who gets, along with many family members, hefty payments from the taxpayer via parliament on the Civil List.

To the answerer who said that the Queen could refuse to go to war...that's wrong. If the Government declares war she is Constitutionally bound and cannot comment if she disaggrees. Winston Churchill declared war on Germany...in the name of King George, but George had no choice'

Answer 2

But she has.

The Government may make the decision to go to war, but the Queen has the ultimate choice to accept their proposal, or refuse it. If she refuses, they cannot act.

Answer 3

Constitutionally the British Monarch has lost very nearly nothing in the last 300 years, since the Bill of Rights 1689 which established parliament as able to overrule the monarch - however what has changed is 'political reality' which is what means the Queen can not really use her theoretical power (which is still vast). This really started in 1714 when George I took the position of King - he didn't speak English and spent most of his energies in dealing with issues in Germany, as such it was necessary to have a 'Prime Minister' to deal with issues arising in Britain - Sir Robert Walpole.

From that point on, due to the increasing strength of the House of Commons throughout the 19th century and the spread of the Liberal ideology it increasingly became impossible for Monarch to dominate the country - although importantly a great deal of this came from Prince Albert's influence of Queen Victoria. He believed that a Constitutional Monarch was preferable and as such she did not take direct action in government - instead using the indirect action and assuming the symbolic position the monarchy has enjoyed ever since.

If you want to see the true power of the monarch see what the Monarchy did in the World Wars - morally they lead the nation.

Answer 4

the monarchy has no power.  the monarch is head of state but the power lies with the government.  that's the way it should be.  would you want a bunch of out of touch snobs with any real power?

Answer 5

The devine right of Kings for one.

Answer 6

His or her own autocracy.  He or she is dictated as to what to say or do by the current government and is not allowed to pass and revoke laws.  Kings and Queens are just puppets really.  I feel sorry for them.

Answer 7

the power of Respect