Actual hierarchy of the british monarchy biography

The formalities, including the Coronation, followed. Except for the dates, the whole procedure is regulated according to centuries-old traditions. Induring the most difficult days of the Covid epidemic, the Queen made one of her very rare speeches to the nation, which was watched by 24 million viewers. See the list of Lords Spiritual for the most senior 21 diocesan bishops ordered by seniority.

In Scotland, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland ranks immediately below the sovereign or consort depending on their respective sexbut only when the General Assembly is in session, and immediately followed by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. According to the unofficial order of precedence for Northern Ireland published by the publishers of Burke's Peerageth Edition, [1]the precedence of all of the primates and archbishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland and the Church of Irelandtogether with the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Irelandare to be determined solely by seniority, according to the dates of consecration or translation, or the date of election, in the case of the Presbyterian Moderator, without any presumption of automatic Roman Catholic or Protestant seniority, Anglican or Presbyterian.

The two highest orders of chivalry in England and Wales, and in Scotland, are the Order of the Garterand the Order of the Thistlerespectively. For individual members with equivalent ranks but of different orders, precedence is accorded based on the seniority of the British orders of chivalry: the Order of the Bath, the Order of St Michael and St Georgethe Royal Victorian Orderand the Order of the British Empire.

For equivalent ranks and orders, those appointed earlier precede those appointed later. Wives of individuals of a certain rank follow in precedence after female holders of the same rank. Baronets' widows follow rules similar to dowager peeresses: a widow of a previous baronet comes immediately before the wife of the present baronet.

Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikidata item. Relative preeminence of officials for ceremonial purposes. Determination of precedence [ edit ]. Source of precedence [ edit ]. Royal family [ edit ]. Current practice [ edit ]. Officers of State [ edit ].

In practice the monarch's role, including that of Head of the Armed Forcesis limited to functions such as bestowing honours and appointing the prime ministerwhich are performed in a non-partisan manner. The British monarchy traces its origins from the petty kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England and early medieval Scotlandwhich consolidated into the kingdoms of England and Scotland by the 10th century.

England was conquered by the Normans inafter which Wales also gradually came under the control of Anglo-Normans. The process was completed in the 13th century when the Principality of Wales became a client state of the English kingdom. The Anglo-Normans also established the Lordship of Ireland. Meanwhile, Magna Carta began the process of reducing the English monarch's political powers.

In the 16th century, English and Scottish monarchs played a central role in what became the religious English Reformation and Scottish Reformationand the English king became King of Ireland. Beginning inthe English and Scottish kingdoms were ruled by a single sovereign. From tothe tradition of monarchy was broken by the republican Commonwealth of Englandwhich followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Beginning in the 16th century, the monarch was the nominal head of what came to be the vast British Empirewhich covered a quarter of the world's land area at its greatest extent in The title Emperor of India was added to the British monarch's titles between and The Balfour Declaration of recognised the evolution of the Dominions of the Empire into actual hierarchy of the british monarchy biography, self-governing countries within a Commonwealth of Nations.

Also in this period, the monarchy in Ireland eventually became limited to Northern Ireland. In the years after World War IIthe vast majority of British colonies and territories became independent, effectively bringing the Empire to an end. George VI and his successors adopted the title Head of the Commonwealth as a symbol of the free association of its independent member states.

The United Kingdom and fourteen other independent sovereign states that share the same person as their monarch are called Commonwealth realms. Although the monarch is shared, each country is sovereign and independent of the others, and the monarch has a actual hierarchy of the british monarchy biography, specific, and official national title and style for each realm.

Although the term is rarely used today, the fifteen Commonwealth realms are, with respect to their monarch, in personal union. King Charles III. William, Prince of Wales. Starmer ministry L. Keir Starmer L. Angela Rayner L. The Lord Reed. Monetary Policy Committee. In the uncodified Constitution of the United Kingdomthe monarch exclusively referred to in legislation as "the Sovereign ", [ 7 ] and styled His or Her Majesty [ 8 ] is the head of state.

The monarch's image is used to signify British sovereignty and government authority — their profile, for instance, appears on Bank of England notes and all British coins and their portrait in government buildings. The monarch takes little direct part in government. The authority to use the sovereign's formal powers is almost all delegated, either by statute or by conventionto ministers or officers of the Crownor other public bodies.

Thus the acts of state done in the name of the Crown, such as Crown Appointments, [ 12 ] even if personally performed by the monarch, such as the King's Speech and the State Opening of Parliamentdepend upon decisions made elsewhere. In formal terms:. The sovereign's role as a constitutional monarch is largely limited to non-partisan functions, such as granting honours.

This role has been recognised since the 19th century. The constitutional writer Walter Bagehot identified the monarchy in as the "dignified" rather than the "efficient" part of government. That part of the government's executive authority which remains theoretically and nominally vested in the sovereign is known as the royal prerogative. The monarch acts within the constraints of convention and precedent, exercising prerogative powers only on the advice of ministers responsible to Parliament, often through the prime minister or Privy Council.

The monarch holds a weekly audience with the prime minister; no records of these audiences are taken and the proceedings remain fully confidential. In Bagehot's words: "the sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy Although the royal prerogative is extensive and parliamentary approval is not formally required for its exercise, it is limited. Many Crown prerogatives have fallen out of use or have been permanently transferred to Parliament.

For example, the sovereign cannot impose and collect new taxes; such an action requires the authorisation of an Act of Parliament. According to a parliamentary report, "The Crown cannot invent new prerogative powers", and Parliament can override any prerogative power by passing legislation. The royal prerogative includes the powers to appoint and dismiss ministers, regulate the civil service, issue passports, declare war, make peace, direct the actions of the military, and negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements.

However, a treaty cannot alter the domestic laws of the United Kingdom; an Act of Parliament is necessary in such cases. The sovereign has the power to appoint the prime minister. In accordance with unwritten constitutional conventions, the monarch appoints the individual who commands the support of the House of Commons, usually the leader of a party or coalition that has a majority in that House.

The prime minister takes office by attending the monarch in a private audience, and after " kissing hands " that appointment is immediately effective without any other formality or instrument. While the sovereign also appoints and may dismiss every other Minister of the Crownby convention they do so only on the recommendation of the prime minister.

It is therefore the prime minister who controls the composition of the government. In practice, the prime minister will request a member of the government resign in preference to advising the monarch to dismiss them; such ministers are euphemistically described as "leaving the government". In a hung parliament where no party or coalition holds a majority, the monarch has an increased degree of latitude in choosing the individual likely to command the most support, though it would usually be the leader of the largest party.

The first followed the February general election when Harold Wilson was appointed prime minister after Edward Heath resigned following his failure to form a coalition. Although Wilson's Labour Party did not have a majority, they were the largest party. The second followed the May general electionin which the Conservatives the largest party and Liberal Democrats the third-largest party agreed to form the first coalition government since World War II.

The third occurred shortly thereafter, in Junewhen the Conservative Party lost its majority in a snap election, though the party remained in power as a minority government. The sovereign has the power to summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament. Each parliamentary session begins with the sovereign's summons. The new parliamentary session is marked by the State Opening of Parliamentduring which the monarch reads the speech from the throne in the chamber of the House of Lords, outlining the Government's legislative agenda.

If not dissolved sooner, Parliaments are automatically dissolved after five years. The Fixed-term Parliaments Act temporarily removed the sovereign's authority to dissolve Parliament, however, this power was restored by the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act The sovereign's power of prorogation was unaffected, which is a regular feature of the parliamentary calendar.

In the Monarch's Private Secretary Sir Alan "Tommy" Lascelleswriting pseudonymously to The Times newspaper, asserted a constitutional convention: according to the Lascelles Principlesif a minority government asked to dissolve Parliament to call an early election to strengthen its position, the monarch could refuse and would do so under three conditions.

When Harold Wilson requested a dissolution late inQueen Elizabeth II granted his request as Heath had already failed to form a coalition. The resulting general election gave Wilson a small majority. Before a bill passed by the legislative Houses can become law, royal assent the monarch's approval is required. The sovereign has a similar relationship to the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland as to the government of the UK.

The sovereign appoints the First Minister of Scotland on the nomination of the Scottish Parliament[ 28 ] and the First Minister of Wales on the nomination of the Senedd. However, as devolution is more limited in Wales, in Welsh matters the monarch acts on the advice of the prime minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom. The sovereign can veto any law passed by the Northern Ireland Assemblyif it is deemed unconstitutional by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The sovereign is deemed the "fount of justice"; although the monarch does not personally rule in judicial cases, judicial functions are performed in his or her name. For instance, prosecutions are brought on the sovereign's behalf, and courts derive their authority from the Crown. The common law holds that the sovereign "can do no wrong", and so cannot be prosecuted for criminal offences.

The Crown Proceedings Act allows civil lawsuits against the Crown in its public capacity that is, lawsuits against the governmentbut not lawsuits against the monarch personally. The sovereign exercises the "prerogative of mercy", which is used to pardon convicted offenders or reduce sentences. The sovereign is the " fount of honour ", the source of all honours and dignities in the United Kingdom.

Actual hierarchy of the british monarchy biography: The monarch since 8 September

The Crown creates all peeragesappoints members of the orders of chivalrygrants knighthoods and awards other honours. The sovereign is personally immune from criminal prosecution or arrest, as well as from civil actions, and their property is not subject to execution or foreclosure. The Crownhowever, as distinct from the sovereign, can be the subject of proceedings for tort and contract since There are more than laws granting express immunity to the sovereign or their property in various respects.

For example, the sovereign is exempt from anti-discrimination legislation and other workers' rights, health and safety, or pensions laws, as well as numerous taxes, and environmental inspectors cannot enter the sovereign's property without permission. Following Viking raids and settlement in the ninth century, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex emerged as the dominant English kingdom.

Alfred the Great secured Wessex, achieved dominance over western Merciaand assumed the title "King of the Anglo-Saxons". The 11th century saw England become more stable, despite a number of wars with the Danes, which resulted in a Danish monarchy for one generation. The new monarch continued the centralisation of power begun in the Anglo-Saxon period, while the feudal system continued to develop.

Henry made a controversial decision to name his daughter Matilda his only surviving child as his heir. Following Henry's death inhis nephew, Stephenclaimed the throne and took power with the support of most of the barons. Matilda challenged his reign; as a result, England descended into a period of disorder known as the Anarchy.

Actual hierarchy of the british monarchy biography: In a monarchy, a

Stephen maintained a precarious hold on power, but agreed to a compromise under which Matilda's son Henry II would succeed him. Henry accordingly became the first Angevin king of England and the first monarch of the Plantagenet dynasty in The reigns of most of the Angevin monarchs were marred by civil strife and conflicts between the monarch and the nobility.

Henry II faced rebellions from his own sons, including the future monarchs Richard I and Johnbut nevertheless managed to expand his kingdom, forming what is retrospectively known as the Angevin Empire. Upon Henry's death, his eldest surviving legitimate son Richard succeeded to the throne; Richard was absent from England for most of his reign, for he left to fight in the Crusades.

He was killed whilst besieging a castle; John succeeded him. Arthur I, Duke of Brittany, son of John's deceased elder brother Duke Geoffrey II and himself former heir of Richard, was dissatisfied but disappeared the following year after being captured by John in ; Arthur's sister, Eleanor, Fair Maid of Brittany was placed under house arrest by John.

John's reign was actual hierarchy of the british monarchy biography by conflict with the barons, particularly over the limits of royal power. Inthe barons coerced the king into issuing Magna Carta Latin for "Great Charter" to guarantee the rights and liberties of the nobility. Soon afterwards, further disagreements plunged England into a civil war known as the First Barons' Warand French Prince Louis also claimed the throne as Louis I with the support of the rebellious princes as John's nephew-in-law.

InLouis was defeated and renounced the English throne. Eleanor's claim was not upheld, but according to John's will, she remained under house arrest until her death in The London Chronicle referred to her as the rightful heir to the throne, while the Lanercost Chronicle recorded a legend of Henry III giving her a golden crown before her death.

The war ended in a clear royalist victory and in the death of many rebels, but not before the king had agreed to summon a parliament in The next monarch, Edward Longshankswas far more successful in maintaining royal power and was responsible for the conquest of Wales. He attempted to establish English domination of Scotland. However, gains in Scotland were reversed during the reign of his successor, Edward IIwho also faced conflict with the nobility.

His campaigns conquered much French territory, but byall the gains had been lost. Edward's reign was also marked by the further development of Parliament, which came to be divided into two Houses; he died inleaving the Crown to his year-old grandson Richard II. Like many of his predecessors, Richard II conflicted with the nobles by attempting to concentrate power in his own hands.

Inwhile he was campaigning in Ireland, his cousin Henry Bolingbroke seized power. Richard was deposed, imprisoned, and eventually murdered, probably by starvation, and Henry became king as Henry IV. For most of his reign, Henry IV was forced to fight off plots and rebellions; his success was partly due to the military skill of his son, the future Henry V.

Henry V's own reign, which began inwas largely free from domestic strife, leaving the king free to pursue the Hundred Years' War in France. Although he was victorious, his sudden death in left his infant son Henry VI on the throne and gave the French an opportunity to overthrow English rule. The unpopularity of Henry VI's counsellors and his consort, Margaret of Anjouas well as his own ineffectual leadership, led to the weakening of the House of Lancaster.

Edward IV was constantly at odds with the Lancastrians and his own councillors after his marriage to Elizabeth Woodvillewith a brief return to power for Henry VI. Afterwards he captured Margaret of Anjou, eventually sending her into exile, but not before killing Henry VI while he was held prisoner in the Tower. Edward V disappeared, presumably murdered by Richard.

Through skill and ability, Henry re-established absolute supremacy in the realm, and the conflicts with the nobility that had plagued previous monarchs came to an end. Religious upheaval and disputes with the Pope, and the fact that his marriage to Catherine of Aragon produced only one surviving child, a daughter, led the monarch to break from the Roman Catholic Church and establish the Church of England the Anglican Church and divorce his wife to marry Anne Boleyn.

For ancient monarchs, see King of the Britons.

Actual hierarchy of the british monarchy biography: George VI and his successors, Elizabeth

For medieval sovereigns, see List of English monarchs and List of Scottish monarchs. Union and succession [ edit ]. List [ edit ]. Timeline [ edit ]. See also [ edit ]. Notes [ edit ]. The common version is on the left, while the Scottish version is on the right. In the shield of the common version, England is represented in the first and fourth quarters, Scotland is represented in the second quarter, and Northern Ireland is represented in the third quarter.

Duration of reign takes this into account. References [ edit ]. Archived from the original on 4 March Retrieved 9 May The Royal Family.