Constitutional monarchy the power behind the throne

Table of contents

• What are the British monarch’s primary political and legal powers? Are these powers largely ceremonial?
• Does the monarch retain freedom from prosecution? What does this mean in practice and does this freedom extend beyond the Queen?
• What judicial powers does the monarchy possess? Is the royal pardon still significant?
• The honours system has proved a point of controversy in recent years. How does this system of selection work and how much influence does the monarchy have over the honours system?
• Will Brexit have knock-on effects for the monarchy and UK constitution?

Article summary

Public Law analysis: With the honours system a perennial cause of concern, and Brexit seeing renewed focus on the issue of a fully codified UK constitution, the role of the monarchy in British politics is at the margins of a number of key democratic questions. Greg Callus, barrister at 5RB, gives an authoritative appraisal of what powers the monarch is able to exercise.