Decline of Crown

Civil Services Act 1782 and French Revolution 1792

Before this the king appointed his friends to positions with no responsibility called sinecures. This act abolished 130 of these positions and saved £70,000 a year. Criticism of the cost of the monarchy due to the growing debts of the crown were pushed by intellectuals like burke and the revolution only inspired conversations of a Republic. However, the chaos of post-revolutionary France also inspired increased monarchism.

George the third 1760-1820 and George the fourth 1820-30

The third was a mad King who was unable to rule for much of his last years due to mental episodes. The fourth was then on and off regent. The fourth was hated by the people for his huge debts and everyone in his court for his disgusting personality. These two kings drastically reduced support for the monarchy.

William the fourth 1830-37

He was forced to accept the reforms of 1832. His attempts to put peel in charge were defeated by the lichfield house compact and then he died.

Catholic Emancipation crisis 1829

The king opposed any mention of catholic Emancipation and rejected it, but he was later forced to accept the passage of the bill showing weakness in the crown no longer being able to deny bills at ascension. The Tories collapsed over this issue forcing William the Fourth to ask Grey to form a liberal government instead.

Reform Act 1832

Grey forced the king to accept reform in order to get grey to form a government. The 1832 act made it much harder to choose a party to lead that was not the largest following a general election.

Lichfield House compact 1835

In 1834, the King dismissed Melbourne for Peel. The compact then created a coalition of Liberals, radicals and Irish MPs to bring down the Tory government. The Tories then lost the subsequent election and the king was forced to reinstall Melbourne against his wishes. This was a clear sign that the crown was powerless to act against the wishes of the expanded electorate.

Bedchamber crisis 1839

Early in victoria’s rule, Melbourne resigned and Peel was invited to form a government. She was challenged by the Tories who wished to change her ladies in waiting from Tories to Whigs. Victoria stood her ground on advice from Melbourne. Peel refused to govern and Melbourne returned. From then on she would act in accordance with the PMs wishes.

Changes to Victoria’s power by the later years of her reign 1837-1901

Over time she became a symbolic monarch and was more popular because of it. She had spent long periods away suffering from grief and the lack of disruption this caused encouraged the idea that Britain could operate without a strong monarch. She was given the title Empress of India which solidified her as a symbolic of British greatness. The 1867 and 1885 acts only solidified the strength of parties and reduced the crown’s power further.

Changes under Edward the Eighth 1901-10

He was involved in the modernization of the home navy. His main role was now confirmed as just a figurehead which he lent into by involving himself in pageantry like the opening of parliament. He acted only to rubber stamp decisions made by the electorate.

Changes under George the Fifth 1910-35

The King could still create peers which he considered doing to pass the Parliament Act but it wasn’t needed. After this the impact of creating peers was small anyway. The King also had a veto which he considered using over Irish Home Rule but again did not. During his rule, the 1911 HoL crisis, 1914 and 28 reform acts were passed, Irish Free State was created in 1921, he chose not to save the Tsar after 1917, and Labour formed a government in 1924. This all had a combined impact of further reducing what little power the crown had left.