Monarchy of the United Kingdom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King of the United Kingdom |
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| Incumbent | |
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| Charles III since 8 September 2022 |
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| Style | His Majesty |
| Heir apparent | William, Prince of Wales |
| Residences | |
The monarchy of the United Kingdom, often called the British monarchy, is how the United Kingdom is governed. It means a hereditary monarch (a king or queen who inherits their position) is the head of state. Their powers are guided by the country's rules, known as the British constitution. The monarch since 8 September 2022 is King Charles III. He became king after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away.
The King and the Royal Family do many official jobs. These include ceremonial events, diplomatic visits, and representing the UK. While the King formally has power over the government (called "His Majesty's Government"), this power is used according to laws made by Parliament. In reality, the monarch's role is mostly symbolic. They give out awards and officially appoint the prime minister. The monarchy also helps promote British values and interests around the world. It encourages tourism and supports many charities.
The British monarchy started with small kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon England and early medieval Scotland over a thousand years ago. These kingdoms grew into England and Scotland by the 900s. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, Wales also came under English control. A very important document called Magna Carta in 1215 began to limit the English monarch's power. In 1603, England and Scotland began to be ruled by a single monarch. From 1649 to 1660, there was no king or queen; England was a republic called the Commonwealth of England. After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, the Bill of Rights 1689 further limited the monarch's power. It also said that Catholics could not become king or queen. In 1707, England and Scotland joined to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. In 1801, Ireland joined, creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
From the 1500s, the monarch was the head of the huge British Empire. At its largest in 1921, this empire covered a quarter of the world's land. After World War II, most British colonies became independent. George VI and later monarchs took the title Head of the Commonwealth. This title shows a free group of independent countries. The United Kingdom and fourteen other independent countries share the same monarch. These are called Commonwealth realms. Each country is independent, but they share the same person as their head of state.
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How the Monarch Works in Government
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The UK does not have one written constitution. Instead, its rules come from many laws and traditions. In this system, the monarch is the head of state. The monarch's image shows British authority. For example, their picture is on British coins and Bank of England notes. The British national anthem is "God Save the King" (or "God Save the Queen"). People also make promises of loyalty to the King.
The monarch does not directly run the government. Their formal powers are almost always used by ministers or other public officials. This means that important state actions, even if done by the King, are based on decisions made by others. For example, the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament is written by the government.
Here's how power is shared:
- Making Laws: Laws are made by the King, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons working together. This is known as the King-in-Parliament.
- Running the Country: The government, led by the prime minister and the Cabinet, handles daily operations. They control the Armed Forces of the Crown and the Civil Service.
- Justice: Judges and courts are independent from the government. They make legal decisions in the King's name.
- Church: The King is the head of the Church of England. This church has its own rules and leaders.
The monarch's role is mostly non-political. They give out honours and awards. This role has been understood since the 1800s. A writer named Walter Bagehot said in 1867 that the monarchy is the "dignified" part of government, not the part that actually "does" things.
Royal Powers and the Government
The King has certain traditional powers called the royal prerogative. However, the monarch uses these powers only when advised by ministers who are accountable to Parliament. In practice, the prime minister controls these powers. The King meets with the prime minister every week. They talk privately, and no records are kept. The King can share his thoughts, but he must accept the decisions of the prime minister and Cabinet. As Walter Bagehot put it, the monarch has "the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn."
While the royal prerogative is broad, it has limits. The King cannot create new taxes; Parliament must approve these. Parliament can also pass laws that override any royal power.
The royal prerogative includes powers like:
- Appointing and dismissing ministers.
- Issuing passports.
- Declaring war and making peace.
- Leading the Armed Forces.
- Signing treaties with other countries.
Choosing the Prime Minister
The King officially appoints the prime minister. By tradition, the monarch chooses the person who has the most support in the House of Commons. This is usually the leader of the political party that won the most seats in an election. The prime minister takes office after a private meeting with the King, where they "kissing hands" (a formal handshake). The King can also dismiss the prime minister, but this power has not been used since 1834. Prime ministers now leave office by resigning.
The King also appoints other government ministers, but only on the prime minister's advice. So, the prime minister decides who is in the government.
If no single party wins a majority in an election (a "hung parliament"), the monarch has a bit more freedom in choosing who might be able to form a government. This usually means picking the leader of the largest party.
Parliamentary Sessions
The King has the power to call Parliament, end a session (prorogue), and close Parliament (dissolve). Each new parliamentary session starts when the King calls it. The State Opening of Parliament is a big event where the monarch reads a speech outlining the government's plans. Prorogation usually happens about a year later, ending the session. Dissolution ends a parliamentary term and leads to a general election.
A law passed in 2011 (the Fixed-term Parliaments Act) temporarily removed the King's power to dissolve Parliament. However, this power was given back by a new law in 2022. The King's power to prorogue Parliament was not affected and is a regular part of the parliamentary year.
In 1950, a rule called the Lascelles Principles suggested that the monarch could refuse to dissolve Parliament if a minority government wanted an early election just to gain more power. However, this has not been tested in recent times.
Other Royal Powers
For a new law to be official, it needs the King's approval, called royal assent. In theory, the King could refuse to approve a law, but this has not happened since 1708.
The King also has a similar role with the governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. He appoints their First Ministers based on nominations from their parliaments.
The King is seen as the "fount of justice." This means that legal actions are taken in his name, and courts get their authority from the Crown. The King "can do no wrong" in a legal sense, so he cannot be charged with crimes. The King can also pardon people who have been convicted or reduce their sentences.
The King is also the "fount of honour," meaning he is the source of all honours and awards in the UK. He creates peerages (titles like Duke or Baron) and gives out knighthoods and other awards. Most of these are given on the prime minister's advice. However, some special honours, like those for the Order of the Garter or Order of the Thistle, are given personally by the King.
Immunity of the Monarch
The King is personally safe from criminal charges or arrest. His property cannot be seized. However, the government (known as "the Crown") can be sued in civil cases.
More than 160 laws give the King or his property special protection. For example, the King is exempt from certain worker's rights laws, health and safety rules, and many taxes.
History of the Monarchy
English Monarchy
After Viking raids in the 800s, the kingdom of Wessex became the most powerful in England. Alfred the Great was a key king. His grandson Æthelstan was the first king to rule over an area roughly like modern England. In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, conquered England. This changed England's politics and society a lot.
Later kings, like Henry II, expanded their kingdom. The reigns of many early kings were filled with conflicts between the monarch and powerful nobles. In 1215, nobles forced King John to sign Magna Carta. This document set limits on the king's power and protected the rights of the nobility.
The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars between two royal families, the House of Lancaster and the House of York. These wars ended in 1485 when Henry Tudor became King Henry VII. He married a Yorkist heir, uniting the families.
The reign of Henry VIII brought big changes. He broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and created the Church of England. This happened because he wanted to divorce his wife and marry Anne Boleyn. Wales was also officially joined with England during his reign. His daughter, Elizabeth I, made England a Protestant country again and helped it become a major world power.
Scottish Monarchy
In Scotland, kingdoms also appeared after the Roman Empire left Britain. Kenneth MacAlpin is often seen as the first king of a united Scotland. Early Scottish kings didn't always pass the Crown directly to their children. Sometimes, different family branches would take turns ruling, leading to many battles.
Malcolm III became king in 1058. Later, William the Lion ruled for a long time. He was captured by the English King Henry II and forced to accept Henry as his overlord. However, King Richard I of England later ended this agreement.
After King Alexander III died in 1286, there was a big problem deciding who should be king. English King Edward I was asked to help. He chose John Balliol, but then tried to control Scotland. This led to the Wars of Scottish Independence. Robert the Bruce declared himself king in 1306 and eventually won Scotland's independence in 1328.
Later Scottish kings, like James I, worked to strengthen royal power. In 1513, King James IV invaded England and was killed in battle. His daughter, Mary, became queen as a baby. Mary was Catholic, and her reign was a time of religious change in Scotland, as Protestantism grew stronger. She was forced to give up her throne and fled to England, where she was later executed by Queen Elizabeth I. Her infant son, James VI, became king and was raised as a Protestant.
One Monarch for Three Kingdoms
When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603 without children, the Scottish King James VI became King of England as James I. This was called the "Union of the Crowns". England and Scotland had the same monarch but were still separate countries.
King Charles I, James's son, often argued with the English Parliament about power and taxes. This led to the English Civil War in 1642. In 1649, King Charles I was executed, and the monarchy was ended. England became a republic called the Commonwealth of England. Oliver Cromwell became the leader, but he refused to be king. After Cromwell died, the monarchy was brought back in 1660, and Charles II became king.
Charles II's brother, James, Duke of York, was Catholic. Parliament worried about a Catholic king. In 1688, a group of Protestants invited James's daughter Mary and her husband William III of Orange to take the throne. James fled, and William and Mary became joint rulers. This event, the Glorious Revolution, greatly increased Parliament's power. The Bill of Rights 1689 made sure that future monarchs had to be Protestant.
When Queen Anne died in 1714, she had no living children. The Crown went to her second cousin, George I, who was from Hanover in Germany. He became the first king of the House of Hanover. In 1707, the Acts of Union 1707 officially joined England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.
During the long reign of George III, Britain lost its American colonies, which formed the United States of America. However, British influence grew elsewhere. In 1801, the Acts of Union 1800 joined Great Britain and Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
By the time of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), the monarch's power had become much more limited. The UK became a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch acts on the advice of elected ministers. Victoria was also declared Empress of India in 1876.
In 1917, during World War I, King George V changed the royal family's name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to "Windsor" because of anti-German feelings. In 1922, most of Ireland became independent as the Irish Free State, though Northern Ireland remained part of the UK.
In the 20th century, the British Empire changed into the Commonwealth of Nations. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 recognized that countries like Canada and Australia were self-governing. This meant the monarch was now separately the monarch of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and so on. One person reigns in many independent countries.
In 1936, King Edward VIII decided to give up his throne so he could marry an American woman who had been divorced. This was a big scandal at the time. His brother became King George VI. George VI was a strong leader during World War II.
When India became a republic in 1950, it no longer shared the same monarch as the UK. Instead, the British monarch was recognized as "Head of the Commonwealth" for all Commonwealth countries. This role is ceremonial and is not automatically passed down. Countries in the Commonwealth that share the same monarch are called Commonwealth realms.
Monarchy in Ireland
In 1155, the Pope allowed King Henry II of England to take control of Ireland. Henry invaded Ireland in 1171 and became its overlord. In 1542, King Henry VIII of England, who had broken away from the Pope, changed his title from Lord of Ireland to King of Ireland.
In 1801, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland joined to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1922, most of Ireland became independent as the Irish Free State. In 1949, it became a republic and left the Commonwealth, ending its ties with the monarchy. Northern Ireland remained part of the UK.
Public Opinion Today
Surveys show that most people in the UK support the monarchy. In September 2022, after Queen Elizabeth II died, a poll showed that 68% of British people felt good about the monarchy. However, younger people are less likely to support it than older people. For example, in May 2022, only 33% of 18-24 year olds wanted the monarchy to continue, compared to 86% of those aged 65 and over.
Religious Role of the Monarch
The King is the supreme governor of the Church of England. Archbishops and bishops are appointed by the King, but this is done on the advice of the prime minister. The King's role in the Church of England is mostly a title. The most senior clergyman, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is the spiritual leader. The King also promises to protect the Church of Scotland. He appoints a special representative to its General Assembly, but otherwise does not control it.
How Succession Works
The rules for who becomes monarch are set by laws like the Bill of Rights 1689 and the Act of Settlement 1701. These laws say that only Protestant descendants of Sophia of Hanover (who lived in the 1600s) can inherit the throne. A person cannot give up their right to the throne.
When a monarch dies, their heir immediately becomes the new sovereign. This is why people say, "The king is dead, long live the king!" The new monarch is officially announced at St James's Palace. They must take several oaths, including one to protect the Church of Scotland. The monarch is usually crowned in Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The coronation is a ceremony, but it's not needed for the monarch to start reigning. It usually happens months after they become king or queen.
Monarchs are expected to reign until they die. The only time a monarch willingly gave up the throne was Edward VIII in 1936. This had to be approved by a special law. The last monarch to be removed unwillingly was James II and VII in 1688.
Changes to Succession Rules
Before 2013, sons inherited the throne before daughters, even if the daughter was older. Also, monarchs could not marry a Roman Catholic. At a meeting in 2011, all 16 Commonwealth realms agreed to change these rules for anyone born after October 28, 2011. Now, the oldest child inherits the throne, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl. Future monarchs can also marry a Roman Catholic. However, the monarch must still be a Protestant, because they are the head of the Church of England. These changes became law in the UK in 2013 and came into force in March 2015.
When a Regent is Needed
The Regency Acts allow for a regent to rule if the monarch is too young or unable to rule due to illness. The next qualified person in the line of succession automatically becomes regent.
If the monarch is temporarily ill or out of the country, they can ask counsellors of state to take over some duties. These are usually the monarch's spouse and the next four adults in line to the throne. Currently, the counsellors of state include Queen Camilla, William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and Anne, Princess Royal. In 2022, the law was changed to add Princess Anne and Prince Edward to this list.
Royal Finances
Until 1760, the monarch paid for all official expenses using money from royal properties. Then, King George III agreed to give up these revenues to Parliament. In return, Parliament gave the monarch money called the Civil List. This system lasted until 2012.
Since 2012, the Civil List has been replaced by a single payment called the Sovereign Grant. This grant is usually 15% of the profits from the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate is a huge collection of properties, worth over £15 billion in 2022. It is held in trust for the nation and cannot be sold by the monarch. The profits from the Crown Estate given to the government are usually more than the Sovereign Grant the monarch receives. For example, in 2021–22, the Crown Estate made £312.7 million, while the monarch's grant was £86.3 million.
The Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall are other property collections held in trust. Their revenues go to the monarch's private income (the Privy Purse) and the eldest son of the monarch, respectively. The monarch also pays income tax and capital gains tax on their personal income.
Royal Residences
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The King's main official home in London is Buckingham Palace. This is where most state events, awards ceremonies, and royal baptisms happen. Another official home is Windsor Castle, the largest castle in the world that is still lived in. The King uses it mostly on weekends and for special events. In Scotland, the official home is the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The monarch stays there for at least a week each year.
Historically, the Palace of Westminster and the Tower of London were the main homes for English monarchs. Later, St James's Palace became important. Even though Buckingham Palace is now the main London home, St James's Palace is still used for important ceremonies, like the meeting of the Accession Council.
Other royal homes include Clarence House and Kensington Palace. These official palaces belong to the Crown and are held in trust for future rulers. They cannot be sold by the monarch. However, Sandringham House in Norfolk and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire are privately owned by the Royal Family.
Royal Titles and Symbols
The King's full title is "Charles the Third, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His other Realms and Territories, King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith". The title "Head of the Commonwealth" is a personal title, not part of the British Crown. The title "Defender of the Faith" was first given to King Henry VIII by the Pope in 1521. Even after Henry broke from the Catholic Church, Parliament allowed him to keep using it.
The monarch is called "His Majesty" or "Her Majesty". The term "Britannic Majesty" is used in international agreements to show it's the British monarch. The monarch chooses their regnal name (the name they reign under), which isn't always their first name.
If only one monarch has used a name, like Queen Victoria, no number is used (she's not "Victoria I"). For British monarchs, the numbering usually follows the English line if it's higher than the Scottish one.
Royal Coat of Arms
The coat of arms of the United Kingdom shows symbols for England (three lions), Scotland (a lion), and Ireland (a harp). The animals supporting the shield are a lion and a unicorn. The motto is "Dieu et mon droit" (French for "God and my Right"). Around the shield is a belt with the motto of the Order of the Garter: "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (Old French for "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it").
In Scotland, a different version of the arms is used. Here, the Scottish symbols are shown first. The mottoes are "In Defens" (Scots for "In my defense God me defend") and "Nemo me impune lacessit" (Latin for "No-one provokes me with impunity").
The monarch's official flag in the UK is the Royal Standard. It shows the Royal Arms. This flag is only flown when the King is present in a building, on a ship, or in a vehicle. The Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast (halfway down the flagpole) because there is always a monarch; when one dies, the next one immediately becomes sovereign.
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Royal Standard of the United Kingdom
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Royal Standard of the United Kingdom in Scotland
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When the monarch is not at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, or Sandringham House, the Union Flag is flown instead. In Scotland, the Royal Banner of Scotland is flown at Holyrood Palace and Balmoral Castle when the monarch is not there.
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Union Flag of the United Kingdom
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Royal Banner of Scotland
See also
In Spanish: Corona británica para niños
- Family tree of the British royal family
- King-in-Parliament
- Law in the United Kingdom
- Politics of the United Kingdom
