Monarchy in Britain

      "Monarchy in Britain"

Great Britain is a monarchy, but the British Queen is not absolute, her powers are limited by Parliament. The power is hereditary and not elective. The Queen is not only head of state, but also an important symbol of national unity. In law she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Crown and the supreme governor of the established Church of England. Today she is only a formal ruler and does not actually govern. Whatever she does must be done on the advice of the Prime Minister who is politically responsible for the Royal act.

      The duties of the Queen are numerous. The Queen summons, prorogues and

dissolves Parliament, as a rule she opens each session with a speech from the throne. She must give Royal assent before a bill which has passed all its stages in both Houses of Parliament becomes legal. It is her duty to make appointment to all important state offices, including those of judges, officers in the armed forces, governors and diplomats, and to all leading positions in the church of England. The Queen has the power to conclude treaties, to cede or annex territory, to declare war and make peace. All these matters are conducted in her name by Ministers and their officials.

      The Queen has her own Privy Council. The Cabinet developed from this Council which used to be a body of advisers of English monarchs and was the chief source of executive power in the state. As the system of Cabinet developed, the Privy Council declined in importance. It consists of members of the Royal family, the Arch-bishops, colonial governors and all senior Ministers, together with others to whom membership has been given as an honour. There are about 400 Privy Counsellors. There are a number of advisory Privy Council committees. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the final Court of Appeal.