Introduction To British Culture and Society: Unit 7: The Monarchy
Introduction To British Culture and Society: Unit 7: The Monarchy
Introduction To British Culture and Society: Unit 7: The Monarchy
Became Queen in
6/12/1952
The monarchy of the UK is:
• a constitutional monarchy.
• the oldest institution of government.
• hereditary (for the oldest male child, or the
oldest female offspring of the monarch).
• Continuity for over 1000 years.
2. The Appearance
The Queen has almost absolute power.
• In every speech, she says: “my government”
not like “the government of the people for the
people”. ( line 4+8)
• She can choose anybody she likes to run the
government for her. ( line 10)
• She has great power over the Parliament:
summons or dissolves. ( line 16+17)
• Nothing becomes law until her agreement.
• She embodies the law in the courts.
3. The Reality
• In theory: the Queen has almost absolute
power.
• In fact: almost no power at all.
e.g. - cannot choose anyone to be Prime
Minister has to choose of the majority of
MP’s in the House of Commons.
- the Prime Minister decides who the
other government ministers are going to be.
4. The role of the monarch
What is the monarch’s role?
• The monarch is personal embodiment of the
government of the country. (line 56)
• The monarch is a possible final check on a
government that was becoming dictatorial.
• The monarch has a very practical role to play.
5. The value of the monarchy
• is more important to the economy than it is to
the system of government.
• is very popular with the British people.
• gives British people a symbol of continuity and
a harmless outlet.
6. The future of the monarchy
• A little less grand – A little less distant
True / False / Answer
• Who is the head of Britain at the moment?
Elizabeth II
• Elizabeth II became queen in 1953 F
• When did Elizabeth II become the Queen?
1952
• The Queen has almost absolute power (In
theory) T
• The monarch is not hereditary F
• Whom will be chosen the Prime Minister by
the Queen?
who has the support in the House of Commons
• The monarch couldn’t refuse request and
dismiss the PM F
• By whom is the highest position in government
filled? Prime Minister
• Everything that Parliament has decided can
become law F
• The British regard the monarch as a personal
embodiment of the government of the country
T