1 Second-Year Law – Class 6The Monarchy Second-Year Law – Class 6
2 A few movies and TV series on this topic
3 Fun Facts about the QueenShe loves corgis. She has owned over 30 during her reign. She once demoted a footman for giving her corgis whiskey. She has two birthdays: her real one in April and the official one in June, when the weather is better. In 1953, 20 million people watched her coronation on TV. She is the longest reigning monarch ever in Britain. She has seen 13 Prime Ministers come into power. She's the only person in the UK allowed to drive without a licence.
4 Fun Facts about the Queen (2)The Queen’s birthplace is now a fancy Cantonese restaurant. She has many hobbies: horse riding, pigeon racing and soccer (she’s an Arsenal supporter). She has sent around 50,000 Christmas cards. She speaks fluent French. She is Britain’s 40th monarch. In the past 60 years, the Queen has undertaken 261 official overseas visits, including 96 state visits, to 116 different countries. Technically, the Queen still owns the sturgeons, whales and dolphins in the waters around the U.K.
5 The Queen and her pony, four days ago
6 In a Nutshell The UK is a constitutional monarchy. Popular support for this system is strong: in April 2016, 76% favored Britain remaining a Monarchy compared to 17% preferring a republic (here). The Monarch is the Head of the United Kingdom and the Head of the Commonwealth (and the sovereign in 15 Commonwealth realms). The Monarch is Head of State and Head of the Nation (a focus for national identity, unity and pride; a sense of stability and continuity).
7 The Queen and the Executive branchThe executive power is exercised in his/her name, by His/Her Majesty’s Government. It is derived from the royal prerogatives. The Monarch appoints the Prime Minister, who is the majority leader in the House of Commons (here). Every week, the Prime Minister meets with the Monarch, who “consults, encourages and warns.” Ministers are also appointed by the Monarch. The Monarch receives ambassadors, officially declares wars and signs treaties. (S)he is the Head of Armed Forces.
8 The Queen and ParliamentThe “Crown in Parliament”: the monarch in his/her legislative role. - the Monarch appoints members of the House of Lords with the advice of the Prime Minister; - the Monarch formally opens Parliament with the Speech from the Throne delivered in the House of Lords (here). - the Monarch must give his/her Royal Assent for the bill to become law.
9 The Queen and the JudiciaryJustice is rendered in the Monarch’s Name: the King’s/Queen’s Courts; Her/His Majesty’s Judges; the Crown Prosecution Service for criminal cases; the Queen’s Counsel (eminent lawyer; honorific distinction based on merit). The Monarch does not appoint judges anymore (Constitutional Reform Act 2005). However, he/she can exercise the prerogative of mercy.
10 The Queen and… 1 2 The Church of England HonoursThe patronage of the Royal Family is very important for charities. The Queen is patron of more than 600 charities. The Queen and…
11 Sentence Completion The Queen appoints the Prime Minister on the advice of the former PM and the government on the advice of the new PM. Even if the Monarch does not govern, (s)he has a role in each branch of government, giving her Royal Assent for a bill to become a law for instance. As far as her relationships with the PM are concerned, they meet on a weekly basis and she advises him/her after listening to him/her. Since Henry VIII, the Church of England has been headed by the Monarch even if the Archbishop of Canterbury actually does most of the work. According to Walter Bagehot, the monarch is the dignified part of the state while the PM and his Cabinet are the efficient part of it.
12 Terminology Without notice or reason given: at pleasure60th anniversary: Diamond Jubilee 25th anniversary: Silver Jubilee Monarch: sovereign To caution: to warn To represent (someone/ something): to stand for Someone who receives something: recipient Symbolical: titular Money received by the Crown: Civil List / Sovereign Support Grant Negative: detrimental To reduce: to curtail The King or Queen as part of the legislative branch: King/Queen in Parliament
13 The Queen and ParliamentThe Queen has an important formal and ceremonial relationship with Parliament. The phrase 'Crown in Parliament' is used to describe the British legislature, which consists of the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Of these three different elements, the Commons, a majority of whom normally supports the elected Government of the day, has the dominant political power. The role of the Sovereign in the enactment of legislation is today purely formal, although The Queen has the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn through regular audiences with her ministers. As a constitutional monarch, the Sovereign is required to assent to all Bills passed by Parliament, on the advice of Government ministers. The Royal Assent (consenting to a measure becoming law) has not been refused since The Queen also plays an important role in the ceremonial opening and dissolving of Parliament. In the annual State Opening of Parliament ceremony, The Queen opens Parliament in person, and addresses both Houses in the Queen’s Speech. Neither House can proceed to public business until the Queen's Speech has been read. This speech is drafted by the Government and not by The Queen. It outlines the Government's policy for the coming session of Parliament and indicates forthcoming legislation. In addition to opening Parliament, only The Queen can summon Parliament, and prorogue (discontinue without dissolving it) or dissolve it. When a Prime Minister wishes to dissolve Parliament and call a general election, he or she is obliged to seek the permission of the Sovereign to do so. For this purpose, the Prime Minister usually travels to Buckingham Palace before announcing a general election.
14 The Queen and the ChurchThe Sovereign holds the title ‘Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England'. There are many examples of the relationship between the established Church and the State. Archbishops and Lords Spiritual are appointed by The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who considers the names selected by a Church Commission. They take an oath of allegiance to The Queen on appointment and may not resign without Royal authority. The connection between Church and State is also symbolised by the fact that the Lords Spiritual (consisting of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and 24 diocesan bishops) sit in the House of Lords. Parish priests also take an oath of allegiance to the Queen. The General Synod (including the bishops, elected representatives from the clergy and the laity) is the supreme authority of the Church of England. The Queen opens the Synod after the elections in the dioceses every five years. Since 1919, the Synod (formerly called the Church Assembly) has had the power to pass Measures on any matter concerning the Church of England. Following acceptance of the Measures by both Houses of Parliament (which cannot amend them), they are submitted for Royal Assent and become law. In his or her coronation oath, the Sovereign promises to maintain the Church.
15 The Queen and the Armed ForcesThe Queen as Sovereign is Head of the Armed Forces. The Queen is the only person to declare war and peace. This dates back from when the Monarch was responsible for raising, maintaining and equipping the Army and Navy. Today, this power can only be exercised on the advice of Ministers. On enlistment, the Army and Air Force Acts require members of the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines to take an oath of allegiance to the Monarchy as Head of the Armed Forces. The Queen takes a keen interest in all the Armed Forces, both in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth. She undertakes regular visits to Service Establishments and ships, to meet servicemen and women of all ranks, and their families, both at home and overseas. The Queen and other members of the Royal Family hold various appointments and honorary ranks in the Armed Forces. Such appointments include special relationships with certain ships, and honorary colonels (known as Royal Colonels) in Army regiments and Corps, and honorary ranks connected with Royal Air Force stations. The Queen meets regularly with the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Single Service Chiefs
16 The Queen and the CommonwealthA Commonwealth Realm is a country which has the Queen as its Monarch. There are 15 Commonwealth Realms in addition to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Papua New Guinea, St Christopher and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu, Barbados, Grenada, Solomon Islands, St Lucia and The Bahamas. For over 55 years, the Queen has been Head of the Commonwealth. This is an important symbolic and unifying role. As Head, Her Majesty personally reinforces the links by which the Commonwealth joins people together from around the world. One of the ways of strengthening these connections is through regular Commonwealth visits. During her reign, The Queen has visited every country in the Commonwealth (with the exception of Cameroon, which joined in and Rwanda, which joined in 2009) and made many repeat visits. One third of The Queen's total overseas visits are to Commonwealth countries. The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family are also regular visitors to the Commonwealth. The Queen keeps in touch with Commonwealth developments through regular contact with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and his Secretariat. This is the Commonwealth's central organisation. Based in London, it co-ordinates many Commonwealth activities. Her Majesty also has regular meetings with Heads of Government from Commonwealth countries.
17 Monarchy and Money According to Buckingham Palace, sustaining the royal family costs Britons 53 pence, or about 81 cents, per person, per year. The total came to about 33.3 million pounds for But some British republicans – those who want to abolish the monarchy – say the actual cost is much higher, once you factor in things like security detail and the cost of preparing for royal visits. Their figure is about 200 million pounds. The British tourism agency has reported that the royal family generates close to 500 million pounds every year in tourism revenue, drawing visitors to historic royal sites like the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and Buckingham Palace. Baby George is set to boost consumer spending even more, according to Britain's Center for Retail Research, to $383 million. The royal wedding alone boosted London's economy by 107 million pounds.
18 Reforming the MonarchyFirst come, first crowned: the British Monarchy gets modern (here). The Act of Settlement (1701) laid down that only Protestant heirs of Princess Sophia, granddaughter of James I, may succeed to the British throne. Neither Roman Catholics, nor those who marry a Roman Catholic, nor those born out of wedlock, may remain in the line of succession. Under common law the crown was passed on by male primogeniture under which younger sons succeed before their elder sisters. This changed in March 2015 with the introduction of the Succession to the Crown Bill 2013 which changed the succession laws so that the right of male primogeniture no longer applies. Males born after 20 October 2011 no longer precede their elder sisters in the line of succession. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first child born on 22 July 2013 was a boy Prince George. Their second child Princess Charlotte was born on 2 May She is 4th in line and will not lose her position even if she has a younger brother. The Bill removed the disqualification of those who marry Roman Catholics so that George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, who married a Catholic in 1988 was restored in 35th place after the Duke of Kent. It also repealed the Royal Marriages Act so that only the first 6 persons in line to the throne require the Sovereign's approval to marry. This means that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie no longer require permission from the Queen to marry. The British monarch is head of the Protestant Church of England so the requirement remains that only Protestants can be in the line of succession. The current line of succession to the British Throne is given below. 1. HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (b. 1948) 2. HRH Prince William of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge (b. 1982) 3. HRH Prince George of Cambridge (b. 2013) 4. HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge (b. 2015) 5 .HRH Prince Henry of Wales (Harry) (b. 1984) 6. HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York (b. 1960)
19 Prince Charles and the Black Spider MemosThe Guardian article “Prince Charles's 'black spider memos' show lobbying at highest political level” (here). The Guardian video (here).
20 Prepare the debate for next classShould Britain abolish the Monarchy? - The case against the Monarchy - The case for the Monarchy - The case for modest reform This article in the Economist might be helpful to you (here).
21 Homework The Prime Minister and the CabinetRead the lesson. Complete the sentences p. 56.