The Monarchy Flashcards
What form of monarchy is the UK?
A constitutional monarchy
What constitutional role does the monarch have?
The head of state
Where does the main power lie within the constitution?
With His Majesty’s Government
What are the two branches of the government?
The executive (the prime minister and cabinet) and legislature (House of Commons and House of Lords)
Name 6 actions that fall under these powers
● Summoning/dissolving Parliament
● Giving the Royal Assent to Bills passed by Parliament
● Writing the King’s Speech, outlining the Bills to be presented to Parliament
● Declaring War
● Creating knighthoods and other honours
● Appointing senior C of E clergy, judges, police chief constables and diplomats
Which 2 sources of funding does the monarch receive and what are they?
● The Sovereign Grant (replaced the Civil List and Grant-in-Aid in 2011). Funded by the
taxpayer. £86.3m in 2022/23. Set at 25% of the income from the Crown Estate (worth about
£11bn).
● The Privy Purse – a personal pot of money derived from the Duchy of Lancaster estates
Which 5 roles does the monarch fulfil?
● Head of the executive, legislature and judiciary
● Commander in Chief of the armed forces
● The Supreme Governor of the Church of England
● Head of the Commonwealth (and head of state of 15 of its 53 members)
● Heads the Privy Council, consisting of former and current Cabinet Ministers
What is the name of the notional powers the King exercises?
The Royal Prerogative
