Hazell, R; Morris, B; (2017) If the Queen has no Reserve Powers Left, What Is the Modern Monarchy For. Review of Constitutional Studies , 22 (1) pp. 5-32.

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Abstract

The modern monarch has no political power. The Queen’s personal prerogatives – the power to appoint the Prime Minister; to summon and dissolve parliament; and to give royal assent to bills – have been almost entirely extinguished. In exercising these powers, the monarch no longer retains any effective discretion. What remains of monarchy are symbolic ‘high’ state ceremonial, and head of state representative duties. However, the Queen also has other important, non-constitutional functions: to symbolise national identity; provide stability in times of change; and encourage public service. These functions can be analysed by looking at four features of the modern monarchy’s role: the national monarchy, the international monarchy, the religious monarchy, and the welfare or service monarchy. Does the monarchy’s wider role mitigate the loss of discretion in terms of its ‘hard’ constitutional functions? The monarchy will undergo further change as it responds to external pressures, including from the 15 realms, and the differing preferences of individual monarchs. Although at present the public and media remain firmly pro-monarchy, this should not be taken for granted: the media are fickle, and their persistent invasions of privacy remain one of the greatest threats to the future of the monarchy.

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