Eight months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II and his accession to the throne, Charles III is awaiting his official coronation as King of Britain and 14 other kingdoms within the “Commonwealth” union, from Canada to Australia, in a festive ceremony that will take place on the sixth of next May.
Although in Britain the monarch is primarily a ceremonial figure and is not expected to interfere in political affairs, as head of state he retains certain constitutional powers:
role in Parliament
Parliament is the highest legislative authority in Britain, consisting of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Crown, which is another word for monarchy.
The Crown is the oldest component of the British system of government, but its powers have faded over time and are now largely limited to certain protocols.
Appointment of a government
On the day following the legislative elections, the King invites the leader of the party that has won the largest number of seats in Parliament in the House of Commons to be prime minister and form a government.
Opening or dissolving a session of Parliament
Parliament is opened each year by the king, in a traditional ceremony called the Throne Speech, and reads out the government’s plans for the next 12 months.
This major annual event usually begins with the King’s arrival in Westminster in procession from Buckingham Palace, as he lays down the Imperial Crown. The king or queen enters the House of Lords.
The owner of the position of “black stick” (Black Rod) goes to invite deputies in the House of Commons, where the door is closed in his face in a symbolic measure to confirm the independence of the House vis-à-vis the monarchy.
The Crown formally dissolves Parliament before holding new legislative elections.
Royal approval
When a Bill is approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords, it is sent to the King to be signed into law.
Although the king could, technically, refuse it, this procedure—the king’s approval—was considered a formality.
Queen Anne was the last monarch to refuse to assent to the Act in 1708.
Keeper of the Prime Minister’s secrets
Once a week, Queen Elizabeth II met the heads of government in meetings, during which they informed her of their plans and concerns. At the end of her rule, meetings became more and more virtual.
“They tell me what’s going on or if they have any problems and sometimes I can help them in some way,” she said in a 1992 documentary. She added that they “realize that I can be unbiased and it’s fun to feel like a sponge”.
decorations
The King has the power to appoint Lords to Parliament, but this power is exercised only on the advice of Cabinet Ministers.
The King also personally awards a Knight’s Cross to honor those who have made a significant contribution to British society in all areas.
Each year, the government presents him with a list of candidates to honor.
Constitutional crisis
The king is allowed to exercise his royal powers “in the event of a serious constitutional crisis”. Then, he is allowed to go against the advice of the ministers, but this did not happen in the modern era.
Head of the Anglican Church
The King is the supreme ruler of the Church of England, and has the power to appoint bishops and archbishops. But this power he exercises only on the advice of an ecclesiastical committee.
