The monarchy

Constitutional monarchy

• UK

• monarch is the head of state

• notionally the king has the right to govern but realistically has ceremonial role

• king can advise and warn PM

• real power with His majesty’s government- PM and cabinet, and legislature

The king

• head of the executive, legislature and judiciary

• commander in chief of armed forces

• supreme governor of CofE

• Head of commonwealth

• Heads privy council

Kings notional powers

• decisions actually taken by the PM and cabinet (royal prerogative)

• summoning/ dissolving parliament

• giving royal assent to bills passed by parliament

• writing kings speech outlining the bills to be presented to parliament

• declaring wat

• creating knighthoods

• appointing senior CofE clergy, judges, police chief constables and diplomats

Funding

• the sovereign grant- funded by taxpayer, £86.3 million 2023-24, set at 12% of the income from the crown estate

• the privy purse- personal pot of money from Duchy of lancaster estates. £27.4 million 2023-24