Does the queen of England have absolute power, what if she did something terrible or rediculous?

Question

Like what if she decided that no one could eat ice cream anymore, or that you had to walk backwards on the sidewalk?

Could she be overthrown?

No, I'm not stupid. I just don't know much about England. No need to be so rude!!

Answer 1

The Queen of England does in fact have more power than those of us here in America commonly believe. And for those who believe it's Parliament who runs the country, I will remind you of this: Before Parliament may begin their session, it is the QUEEN who grants them their power to do so, and there is a very great and large debate among scholars as to just what would happen should the Queen chose not to grant Parliament her ''ok.''

Also, for those narrow minded idiots who actually think the Queen has no power...here are just a few of her abilities:

Among the powers possessed by the monarch in the United Kingdom under the Royal Prerogative are:

* The appointment and dismissal of ministers;
* The dissolution of parliament and the calling of elections;
* Clemency and pardon;
* The award of dignities and honours;
* The declaration of war;
* The declaration of an emergency;
* The grant of Charters of Incorporation;
* The collection of tolls;
* The minting of coinage;
* The issue and revocation of passports;
* The expulsion of a foreign national from the United Kingdom;
* The creation of new common law courts;
* The creation of new universities;
* The appointment of bishops and archbishops in the Church of England;
* The printing of the authorised Church of England version of the Bible;
* The publication of all statutes, legislative instruments and Orders-in-Council;
* The exercise of jurisdiction over numerous Royal foundations of all kinds;
* The appointment of Royal Commissions and Officers for any purposes.
* The choice of the numbering of monarchs (See MacCormick v. Lord Advocate)

The queen is also immune from prosecution in the courts as she is present in all courts and acts as the prosecuting authority in most criminal cases, either directly or indirectly

It's also worth noting that before British involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Prime Minister Tony Blair, in a major break with precedent, sought parliamentary approval for British participation in the war. However Parliament's decision was in constitutional terms advisory as the actual decision would be taken by the exercise of the Royal Prerogative.

Lastly, I'll mention that it is His Majesty's personal prerogatives are:

1. The refusal to dissolve Parliament when requested by the Prime Minister. This was last reputedly done in 1910 (but George V later changed his mind);
2. To dissolve Parliament (and call a new general election) against the wishes of the Prime Minister;
3. To appoint a Prime Minister of her own choosing. This was last done in Britain in 1963 when Elizabeth II appointed Sir Alec Douglas-Home as Prime Minister.
4. The dismissal of a Prime Minister and his Government. This was last done in Britain in 1834 by King William IV; and
5. The refusal of the Royal Assent, last exercised in 1708 by Queen Anne [1].

Answer 2

The royal family in England has no political power anymore. At all. They are just "nobility", polished figureheads, nothing more. All political decisions come from the House of Lords and the House of Commons, commonly called Parliament. The chief executive of England is called the Prime Minister. He is the equivalent to America's President.

England's Royal Family usually makes political appearances, and act as public relations officers. That, and their popularity connected with their "royalty", is about all they have. They even pay taxes on their property now!

The Queen, or her successor, Prince Charles Windsor, could not be overthrown. To replace a Windsor in the Castle at London, the entire Windsor family would have to be wiped out, and their nearest living relative would be exalted to the position of.....well-dressed figurehead.

Answer 3

The UK is a Constitutional Monarchy.

Much of what she can do and can not do is governed by laws passed by Parliament.

She does still have the Royal Prerogative ... and ultimately could both reign and rule if some disaster were to befall the Houses of Parliament, for example.

She still is the Fount of Honours, most of which are bestowed at the requests of the government of the day; but some, such as the Order of the Thistle is still hers and hers only to bestow.

And I did read that she is "absolute" in the Palaces/Castles ... for example, she didn't like so many of the staff with cell phones. So she decreed that there were to be NO cell phones in her residences.

Answer 4

No, the Queen of England is a Constitutional Monarch. That is, she is pretty much the Queen in NAME only. She "opens and closes" Parliament, etc. Just doing ceremonial things, nothing political. She has NO RIGHT to express her opinion's about WHO PEOPLE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR OR AGAINST. All she can do is "work" with the Prime Minister, and then again, that too is mere formality, since her opinion is not necessary but just cursory.

She cannot be overthrown, since there is NOTHING TO OVERTHROW. As I said, she is Queen in name only, making no laws. It would however take an act of Parliament to dissolve the rights of the Royal family to "rule" in the name of Britain, the U.K., etc. In my opinion the biggest reason for a Royal family is 1) tradition and 2) tourism.

Answer 5

No you're not stupid. The real idiot is the one who made the offensive comment. Perhaps the Queen and she (the idiot) should both be beheaded!

Answer 6

She has no power whatsoever and is just a figurehead. Britain has considered doing away with the monarchy, but the queen is universally loved. (Nice avatar, enaz.)

Answer 7

She doesn't set the laws. Parliament sets the laws.

Answer 8

That would be to bad becasue we couldnt do anything about it!

Answer 9

They would send her to bed with no dinner.

Answer 10

SHE HAS NO POWER