In fact, could anybody answer how much power any monarch really ever had. Especially after the English Civil War in the middle 1600's , England became more of a republic with a Parliament and Prime Minister and money was the order of the day , I guess the same as it has always been as well as now.
2007-02-02 09:11:58 · 6 answers · asked by Charles R 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Queen Victoria was the monarch that handed over most of the executive functions of governement from the monarchy to parliment.
Before Victoria' reign the monarch hired and fired the cabinet ministers in the government.
At the beginning of her reign Lord Melbourne was Prime Minister and in the next election his party lost the majority in Parliment. Victoria refused to appoint Melbourne's opponent's ladies to be her ladies in waiting so Melbourne (who should no longer have been PM) at Victoria's insistence cobled together a group of parties and retained power.
She amended legislation to suit her whims. The Homosexual bill only outlawed male homosexuality because Victoria went through the bill and deleted all references to female female sex.
Elizabeth I used to box her cabinet's ears if they disagreed with her. Victoria would freeze them out.
As head of the armed forces the UK monarch has to sign all officer's commissions. I think scottish teachers, anglican priests and cabinet minister appointments must also be signed by the monarch before they come into effect. During Victoria's last illness the business of the government came to a halt as she was no longer capable of signing appointments and legislation.
As the head of state the monarch must sign all legislation before it becomes law. A monarch may only advise and guide the elected members of parliment. If the monarch believes that a bill is immoral or unethical the monarch has the option to abdicate.
2007-02-02 09:57:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Queen Victoria had little real power. Such prerogatives as declaring war etc could only be exercised with the co-operation of her Ministers in Parliament. But Victoria in particular had massive influence in an age when monarchy was regarded far more highly than it is today.
2007-02-02 09:53:59 · answer #2 · answered by Tony B 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Our form of democracy is known as Constitutional Monarchy : the Queen reigns but She does not rule.
The Queen is Head of State. She may appoint a government and She may (and has ) dismissed the government. (The Australian Government was famously dismissed by the Crown).
She and only She can declare War.
She and only She can declare a State of Emergency.
The legal system, prisons, armed forces are all run in the Queen's name and authority and all personnel in the armed forces, police etc swear an Oath of Allegance to Her Majesty.
The Queen is Earthly Head of the Church of England.
Power, yes, Despot No. If it ain't broken, don't try to mend it.
2007-02-02 09:27:07 · answer #3 · answered by Raymo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
About the only thing I can add to df382's answer is the Queen Victoria held large financial interests in many of the Empires ventures. At one point in time she was the wealthiest person in the world.
2007-02-02 10:33:08 · answer #4 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have almost no concept of what you are asking. So, I'll answer as best I can: She had a fair amount of power.
2007-02-02 09:16:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
23 volts
2007-02-02 09:17:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋