Does the royal family serve any important role besides being, well, royal?

Question

my knowledge is very sketchy on this subject (please forgive - i'm from aus) but i don't know of any important role the royal family has in britian ..... as to ask, why do they still exist?
do they obtain any authority, more rights, government money and why? fill me in

Answer 1

The Queen is a figurehead. She is wheeled out for ceremonial occasions (the opening of parliament, Remembrance Sunday etc). She has no power or authority.

She does get tax money for the upkeep of her residences and stuff and pays tax herself.

The royal family exist because they always have. It's really that simple. Most people in this country don't have especially strong feelings about the royals, although when the Queen dies, people may well feel less happy with the monarchy. Also, if we lose the monarchy, we end up with another politican so I think we see the monarchy as the lesser of two evils.

Answer 2

The institution of the monarchy functions as a focus of a sense of history, tradition, patriotism, and national identity. For many British, that is a valuable role, and it is hard to imagine what might replace it if the country were to become a republic. Beyond that role, individual royals have various duties and reponsibilities, mostly functioning as representatives of both the monarchy and the nation. The monarch's duties are discussed on the site below, particularly under "Constitutional Role" and the following material. Her relatives are expected to act as patrons/honorary presidents/fundraisers for charities and other organizations and as ambassadors for the country in various contexts. Not all of the monarch's relatives do this work -- far fewer are involved than once were. The others have normal jobs. Aside from the roles of individuals, the monarchy as an institution plays a significant role in keeping the international profile of the country high, and this translates into various advantages, most notably tourism. A UK without a monarchy would seem a less interesting place to visit to many people, especially since the UK is not associated in the international public mind with the sorts of romantic and fabled attractions that such former monarchies as France and Italy have to offer. See the site below:

Answer 3

The Royal family serves an historical purpose. The idea of royalty in European society goes back to Charlemagne.
Even now, to be able to claim descent from Charlemagne is a very prestigious thing.

But the point is that when the pope crowned Charlemagne
and C. became the first Holy Roman Emperor in Europe.
This created the idea of the "Divine Right of Kings", men who were appointed by God as rulers over the nations.

So the Royal Family carries on in itself the whole train of European history in respect to what constitutes rulership, what are it's responsibilities, and what are it's rights.

Under this banner, the king or queen is responsible to govern according to God's laws. They also carry something of the authority of God as a civil arbitrator for him on earth.

I've given a simple explanation, and I'm sure trained historians could give you a fuller and modified one, but I think that this is the main thrust of the historical meaning.

We are a world which is espousing "democracy", the rule of the people. The tendency is to want to throw out the baby with the bath water. I personally think the royal family has a great role in maintaining the health of the baby, because I think it is always dangerous to forget our roots as we stretch towards the sun. (forget our past as we move into the future).

Another aspect of the royal family that has sadly gone awry is that we are taught respect in something greater than ourselves (our nation) in the guise of a person (the king or queen). Respect is important for the vitality of any nation. As we lose it, our nations become weaker. That is why it is important to see it in a person. When we lose respect for authority we lose respect for each other.

Maggie

Answer 4

The fact that Britain has a royal family is the only reason why American tourists come to visit Britain. If Britain had no royal family, all the Americans would go to France instead.

Answer 5

The British monarchy is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, and holds the now constitutional position of head of state. According to convention, the Queen's powers are exercised upon the advice of her prime minister. She does however possess certain reserve powers which she may exercise at her own discretion.

In the UK, the Queen (or King, when there is a male monarch) has numerous theoretical personal prerogatives. In practice, however, with the exception of the appointment of a prime minister, which is done with every prime minister, there are few circumstances in modern British government where these could be justifiably exercised; they have rarely been exercised in the last century. These powers could be exercised in an emergency such as a constitutional crisis. The monarch's personal prerogatives are:

- The refusal to dissolve Parliament when requested by the Prime Minister.
- To appoint a Prime Minister of her own choosing.
- The dismissal of a Prime Minister and his Government on the Monarch's own authority.
- The refusal of the Royal Assent.
- The refusal of the "Queen's Consent," where direct monarchical assent is required for a bill affecting, directly or by implication, the prerogative, hereditary revenues—including ultimus haeres, treasure trove, and bona vacantia—or the personal property or interests of the Crown to be heard in Parliament.

It has long been established in the uncodified Constitution of the United Kingdom that political power is ultimately exercised by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, of which the Sovereign is a non-partisan component, along with the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Thus, as the modern British monarchy is a constitutional one, the Sovereign's role is in practice limited to non-partisan functions (such as being the fount of honour).

In practice, political power is exercised today through Parliament and by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The sovereign also holds the title of Supreme Governor of the established Church of England. The monarch holds a weekly audience with the Prime Minister, as well as regular audiences with other members of the Cabinet. The monarch may express his or her views, but, as a constitutional ruler, must ultimately accept the Prime Minister's and Cabinet's decisions.
Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_monarchy

In addition to her constitutional duties, The Queen has an important role to play in public. A national figurehead, The Queen provides a focus for identity, offers recognition of achievement of all kinds, and supports the ideals of public and charitable work.

Her Majesty acts a focus for national unity and pride by means of regular visits in the UK, her other realms, the Commonwealth and overseas destinations. The Queen is supported by other members of the Royal Family, who also carry out thousands of visits each year.

The Queen recognises excellence and achievement. This takes place in many ways: through Royal visits which provide a 'seal of approval' to a charity or community; through the award of honours and prizes to outstanding individuals; and through messages sent to those celebrating special birthdays or wedding anniversaries.

The Queen and the Royal Family also play an important part in the public and voluntary sector. Through involvement with hundreds of charities, military units and other organisations, they promote the ideal of service to others.

Answer 6

NO. They are merely figure heads anymore. Well respected but they have no real say in anything to do with their government.

Answer 7

just a figurehead...BTW don't need forgiveness, me from the US you from Aus...we happen to both be British colonies that have broken free. Be happy...

Answer 8

They really don't do a thing. There has been no reason for the peerage since medieval times.

Answer 9

Yes they spend our money like its going out of fashion!

Answer 10

Go to http://www.royal.gov/uk to educate yourself. Here's a sample from the site to help answer your question:
"Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom.

In a monarchy a king or queen is Head of State. The British monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy. This means that, while The Queen is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. Although the British Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation.

As Head of State, The Queen undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history. In addition to these State duties, The Queen has a less formal role as 'Head of Nation'. She acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of public and voluntary service.

In all these roles The Queen is supported by members of her immediate family.

Find out more about the role of the monarchy in this section. ..
The British Sovereign can be seen as having two roles: Head of State, and 'Head of the Nation'.

As Head of State, The Queen undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history.

There are inward duties, with The Queen playing a part in State functions in Britain. Parliament must be opened, Orders in Council have to be approved, Acts of Parliament must be signed, and meetings with the Prime Minister must be held.

There are also outward duties of State, when The Queen represents Britain to the rest of the world. For example, The Queen receives foreign ambassadors and high commissioners, entertains visiting Heads of State, and makes State visits overseas to other countries, in support of diplomatic and economic relations.

As 'Head of Nation', The Queen's role is less formal, but no less important for the social and cultural functions it fulfils.
These include: providing a focus for national identity, unity and pride; giving a sense of stability and continuity; recognising success, achievement and excellence; and supporting service to others, particularly through public service and the voluntary sector.

These roles are performed through different types of engagement.

By means of regular visits through every part of the United Kingdom, The Queen is able to act as a focus for national unity and identity.

Through her engagements and walkabouts, The Queen is able to meet people from every walk of life. The Queen's unifying role as Sovereign is also shown in her special relationships with the devolved assemblies in Scotland and Wales.

In addition, at times of national celebration or tragedy, The Queen publicly represents the nation's mood - for example, at annual commemoration of the war dead on Remembrance Sunday, or at celebrations for a national sporting victory.

The Queen also has an essential role in providing a sense of stability and continuity in times of political and social change. The system of constitutional monarchy bridges the discontinuity of party politics.

While political parties change constantly, the Sovereign continues as Head of State, providing a stable framework within which a government can introduce wide-ranging reforms.

With more than five decades of reading State papers, meeting Heads of State and ambassadors and holding a weekly audience with the Prime Minister, The Queen has an unequalled store of experience upon which successive Prime Ministers have been able to draw.

The Queen is able to recognise success and achievement in a personal way. These include honours, awards, visits, patronage and sponsorship. At Investitures, for example, The Queen honours individuals for public service or outstanding achievement.

She also hosts garden parties to which guests from all backgrounds are invited, most of whom are nominated by charities or public sector organisations for their service to their communities.

And in the thousands of messages sent by The Queen each year to people celebrating their 100th birthdays or diamond weddings, The Queen is able to give special and personal recognition of remarkable individuals.

The Queen also supports service to others, through close relationships with the voluntary and charitable sector. About 3,000 organisations list a member of the Royal Family as patron or president. The Queen has over 600 patronages and The Duke of Edinburgh over 700.

In all these roles, The Queen is supported by members of the Royal Family, who carry out many of the engagements which The Queen cannot undertake in person."

The above site explains what each of the Royals does: The Duke of York is the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. Anne is head of Save the Children in the UK.The Prince of Wales is a businessman who runs the Duchy of Cornwall. Go to http://www.royal.gov/uk to find out more!