The Monarchy

Question 1

What form of monarchy is the UK?

Answer 1

A constitutional monarchy

Question 2

What constitutional role does the monarch have?

Answer 2

The head of state

Question 3

Where does the main power lie within the constitution?

Answer 3

With His Majesty’s Government

Question 4

What are the two branches of the government?

Answer 4

The executive (the prime minister and cabinet) and legislature (House of Commons and House of Lords)

Question 4

Name 6 actions that fall under these powers

Answer 4

● 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

Question 4

Which 2 sources of funding does the monarch receive and what are they?

Answer 4

● 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

Question 5

Which 5 roles does the monarch fulfil?

Answer 5

● 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

Question 5

What is the name of the notional powers the King exercises?

Answer 5

The Royal Prerogative