A Monarch’s Power
Caroline Graham Swann
Most people think of Queen Elizabeth II as only a monarch attending royal events and waving her hand to cheering crowds. Always dressed in her understated style, a pretty hat and handbag and her gloved hand, she seems to be only a royal icon representing the British Throne.
This is the complete opposite of the power Queen Elizabeth II has, as in reality she wields a great deal of power. She is the only person who can open and close Parliament. Every officer in the armed services, police and secret service, swears allegiance to the queen as an individual. She is the only person who can sign a bill into law, bypassing Parliament altogether and sign emergency orders. The Queen is the only person who can appoint a judge, ambassador, minister or bishop. All the courts are in her name and she has complete immunity. Queen Elizabeth II is also the only person who can sign a treaty with a foreign country and who has personal spies in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. These powers are enormous to say the least. After 500 years of struggle and with a lot of bloodshed, British Parliament has only wrested one strategic power form the monarchy, and that is the power to tax. Ever other power still rests with the sovereign.
This is a surprising bit of knowledge to the average person and a great glimpse into the reason even her family has to seek her permission for many personal decisions.
August 31st, 1997, was a shocking and sad day for the world. Princess Diana was lost to those who loved her so much in a wretched car crash in Paris. Known as the peoples’ princess, she fought the monarchy for more freedom to raise her children in a way that exposed then to much more of a normal world than other royals had been permitted. She shared her sorrow of a crumbling marriage to a man she loved, as any emotionally crushed woman would. This did not bring her favor from the higher powers of the monarchy. Princess Dianna, with her warmth, her normal reaction to human suffering and great popularity even though being stripped of the HRH title, must have been a bit difficult for the usual tradition of the royals.
Diana’s great sense of fashion, style, beauty, vulnerability and charm will always be remembered by the whole world,. She opened the door to a stronger tie with the common people, perhaps even saving the monarchy. Prince William and Kate have certainly exhibited more communication and warmth with the world. This must be due to Princess Diana’s lasting influence on Prince William. Yes, Diana was a rebel in many ways due to her not following the complete will of the monarch. This was good for the subjects but perhaps in the long run, sad for the beautiful Princess Diana.
