Britain’s Monarchy: Duties and Powers
26-08-2023
12:28 PM
1 min read
What’s in today’s article?
- Why in news?
- What is Westminster Abbey?
- Britain’s Monarchy
- What are the Duties of the Monarch?
- What are the Powers of the Monarchy?
- News Summary: King Charles III crowned at London's Westminster Abbey
Why in news?
- King Charles III becomes the 40th British monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London.
- In front of a congregation, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, slowly placed the 360-year-old St Edward's Crown on Charles' head as he sat upon a 14th-century throne in Westminster Abbey.
What is Westminster Abbey?
- Westminster Abbey is a historic church located in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom.
- An abbey refers to a religious building, which can either mean a church or a place where monks or nuns live.
- This abbey’s story begins with King Edward, also known as Edward the Confessor.
- He was born in the 11th century into a royal family but was forced to flee his homeland after Danish attacks in the region.
- Later, upon his return to the Kingdom, he ordered a new church to be built at Westminster. The Abbey was consecrated in 1065.
- It is one of the most famous and important religious buildings in the country, and has been the site of many important royal and national events throughout history.
- The Abbey has been the coronation church for English and British monarchs since 1066.
- Every Westminster Abbey coronation has taken place in the vicinity of King Edward’s shrine.
- Successors were placed in St Edward’s Chair, famously known as the Coronation Chair, carrying the Stone of Scone, and monarchs are typically crowned with St Edward’s Crown.
- With the use of regalia related to King Edward, influence of a monarch from nearly 1,000 years ago continues to hold strong over the present.
- It is also the final resting place of many monarchs, statesmen, and other important figures from British history, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, and Winston Churchill.
Britain’s Monarchy:
- Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom.
- In a monarchy, a king or queen is Head of State.
- The British Monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy.
- This means that, while The Sovereign is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament.
- Although The Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation.
What are the Duties of the Monarch?
- As Head of State, The Monarch undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history.
- In addition to these State duties, The Monarch has a less formal role as 'Head of Nation'.
- President of India enjoys the similar title of ‘Head of the State’ in India.
- The Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of voluntary service.
What are the Powers of the Monarchy?
- The British monarch is mainly a ceremonial figurehead and is generally expected not to intervene in political matters.
- But as head of state, they have retained some constitutional powers.
- Appointing a Government –
- The day after a general election, the monarch invites the leader of the party that won the most seats in the House of Commons to become prime minister and form a government.
- Opening & Dissolving Parliament –
- The monarch opens parliament every year and reads out the government's plans for the next 12 months.
- The Crown also formally dissolves parliament before a general election.
- Royal Assent –
- After a bill has been approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it is sent to the monarch to approve and turn into a law.
- The monarch has the power to refuse a Bill.
- However, the most recent monarch to refuse assent was Queen Anne (in 1708).
News Summary: King Charles III crowned at London's Westminster Abbey
- Charles, Britain’s first new monarch in 70 years, was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London during an ancient ceremony.
- Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar represented India at the historic Coronation ceremony.
- In 1066, the monarch William the Conqueror invaded England with his army and was crowned here.
- Since then, 39 coronation ceremonies and 16 royal weddings have taken place in the cathedral.
Image Caption: Coronation Ceremony
Q1) What is monarchy?
Monarchy is a form of government in which a single individual, usually referred to as a monarch or king/queen, holds ultimate authority and power over a country or state. In a monarchy, the monarch is usually born into the royal family and inherits the throne through a hereditary succession process.
Q2) Who was King Edward, also known as Edward the Confessor?
King Edward, also known as Edward the Confessor, was a King of England who reigned from 1042 to 1066. He was born in 1003, the son of King Ethelred the Unready and his second wife, Emma of Normandy. Edward was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England before the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Source: King Charles III’s coronation: A look at the history of Westminster Abbey, where he will be crowned as king | Times of India | Nytimes | Economic Times