Queen of England?

Does the Queen of England even hold any political power anymore? Does she make and decisions? All I ever see is Tony Blair.





I know that I am an American, but it appears that the "Royal Family" has become nothing more than a front page-all night party story.

Queen of England?
Yes...and no. Though a sovereign hasn't denied royal assent since the reigh of Queen Anne (which ended in about 1706 or maybe 1702) the monarch can refust to sign a bill into law. She can also dismiss paliament (for something like four years if I recall correctly) and fire the prime minister. It could cause a constintual crisis depending on what the situation was...but Bush can't send congress home...she's got power! Though the Primce Minister is elected, he still must appear before her majesty and have her ASK him to be HER Prime Minister. Also, parliament needs her approval to go to war...she needs no ones approval to declare war. At the same time she is responsible for what is called the "Queen's Peace" and simarly "King's Peace" when the sovereign is a King. For example...as an American like youself I think you can agree that we were lied to about what was taking us to war in Iraq. Yet there is no responsibility on part of our adminisatration for that. However...if she were to do that she can be held financially liable to her subjects. Perhaps that is why we are seeing the British pulling back now (understandably so). It has become clear to most the world that the war is a mess and she has a responsibilty to ensure the peace of her people and not brin harm from intelligence which was to be polite, misleading.





Many people think that monachies belong in the centuries past...but have to point out that her children have served in the military during warn time...her grandson is going to Iraq in a matter of days. During WWII when London was going through the blitz, the Queens mother, the late Elizabeth Bowles-Lyon, refuesed to evacuate the city with the children saying "the children (Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret) wouldn't leave without her and she won't leave without the King...and the King will not leave under any circumstances." when Buckingham Palace was bombed in the night she was quoted "I'm glad we've been bombed...now I can look the East End right in the eye." Many historians give her a lot of credit for keeping the moral of the British people up. Had she left with the children she would have been saying to the people that it was ok for them and their children to die...but not for hers to. Elizabeth II was during the war an automechanic...other royals were known to work in hospitals changing bandages...whatever it took. Now in the US...when we had the terrible events of 2001....our leader didn't go back to DC...don't see his drunk daughers out on the front empting bed pans and cleaning wounds. The Queen does recieve money from the civil list...but she has to pay the salaries of her husband and the other royals who carry out duties on her behalf...as well as the rent for the use of apartments in Kensington Palace for the Duke and Duchess of Kent for example. The civil list money comes from earings of the Crown Trust which was set up by sovereins in centuries past to preserve the property and art, etc for the family and owns many of their residences (she owns others personally too)...that property in the trust technically belongs to her too...just held in trust for the future. I suppose if they deponsed the monarchy she would regain complete control of it all...and actually read recently that she could just dissolve the trust and take possession.





So yes, she does have power and does do a lot of stuff. She opens parliament annually...and also in most of the common wealth realms too...royal asent is required there too but she usually has that power invested in the governor general or prime minister of the respective counties (which she has to ask to be her representative there just as she does for the UK).


I think she could do without a PM in the UK though and be more involed...though that would distract her from all her other duties.


As I'm sure it's obvious by now, I am very much a monarchist. Yes, it may cost a bit...but not more than it does here for all out past presidents security and salaries, etc. the bottom line is that the monarchy makes a bundle for the people too....tourish is boosted because travers want to experience that glamour...you can go to a palace anywhere in Europe..but you may get a glimpse of the Queen if you go in London. MOST importantly, there isn't any charitable cause that a member of her family could choose to lend their support to that won't rake in the cash to help those who need it...THAT alone makes it worth it.
Reply:"The Queen is Head of State in the United Kingdom. Her official title in the UK is "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".





As a constitutional monarch, The Queen does not 'rule' the country, but fulfils important ceremonial and formal roles with respect to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the devolved assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.





The Queen is also Fount of Justice, from whom justice in the United Kingdom derives, and has important relationships with the Armed Forces and the established Churches of England and Scotland.





In addition to her role in the United Kingdom, The Queen has a special role to play in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, which are dependent territories of the English Crown. "





There is lots of info on the web site. Basically the Queen is a figure head - a symbol of many ancient traditions with no real power. The elected government of the day actually rules the country.
Reply:I BELIEVE THEY ARE HIDING IN THEIR SHAME,I DON'T WANT TO NAME NAMES,I FORGIVE THE QUEEN ,I UNDERSTAND THE REASON,BUT WHAT REASON DOES THE QUEEN HAVE FOR NOT KNOWING HER KING SHE DENYS ON THIS DAY.I GIVE HER THE THRONE SHE RULES ON AND ALL HER RICHES .NO RESPECT
Reply:She just offs daughter-in-laws when they get pregnant with another man's baby...
Reply:I think the Queen is more of a figurehead these days.
Reply:Her vast constitutional powers of making appointments, calling elections, declaring war, etc., are exercised by the prime minister. However she can have influence, and decades passed before we knew about the influence wielded by her grandfather George V, who helped to wreck the Labour party by persuading its leader to enter a coalition with the Tories. Long after she has died we may learn she has also used her influence in unseen ways. In 1974 she came close to having an impact on politics by allowing the defeated prime minister extra time to try to form a coalition with the smaller parties and hang onto power, rather than summoning the winner of the election to form a new govt.





David Cameron the new Tory leader has called for many of her powers to be transferred to parliament, as in practice she will never stand up to her prime minister, and he is thus allowed greater powers in Britain's government than, say, the US president has in America, where Congress is supposed to act as a check.
Reply:she's d ruler of britain and the sovereign.she's not d one in power anymore. byt she is v impt as a symbol n still has a hold on her ppl.
Reply:Have a look at this link to see what the Monarchy does nowadays...


http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page6.asp





It may surprise you to see what Her Majesty actually does each day and also bear in mind that she is 81 this year...





God Save The Queen!
Reply:In legal theory she is the most powerful head of state in the world, although in practice she personally exercises very little political executive power.
Reply:The Queen does not hold any political power-she is not allowed to.
Reply:No, the Queen has no political power. She is the Head of the Government, but without the power. A figurehead. The role of the Monarch started to dwindle in the time of King John, which was about the late 1100's, or early 1200's. In a nutshell, he was very abusive of his power, so the nobles of the country essentially made him sign a contract reducing some of his power. This was the Great Charter, or Magna Carta, as we know of it. Since then, the powers of the English monarchs have dwindled to what they are today--that of figureheads. However, that's not to say the Queen isn't necessary to England. She, and all of her royal ancestors, are a part of England's identity. As Queen Elizabeth I once said--she IS England!!
Reply:If I'm not mistaken, The Queen does not make any political decisions at all. That is why she has Tony Blair and the House of Lords so do speak. It use to be that Kings and Queens made decisions on military actions or political views and issues but I'm not quite sure what reign decided to change that rule.As far as I see it she is just the Royal Seat who has been brought down from generation to generation in ruling England. An insignia so do speak. I'm an American also so I'm not too sure exactly what the Queen does anymore. Ask the King...lol
Reply:Among other rights, the Queen has the right to be consulted on all goverment policies. She does not have the right to alter them, but with her years of experience, she acts as the wise elder stateswoman to less experienced politicians. She also represents continuity in government.
Reply:queen has plenty of power - she controls the social system in britain and exercises that power by the power to ostracize. She and her prostituted entourage seek out all critics who dare to make a statement publicly, and they are ostracized - depending on their stature, to lose the ability to advance up on their job, to be shunned by their friends, neighbors and co-workers, and sometimes, if it really hurts, to emigrate from britain to the usa. That's how they exercise their power, and stay on with that power, and the money and privilege it brings.
Reply:The Queen has no constitutional or political power, she is just a figurehead.