I ask this question because I feel that, despite formally being a constitutional monarchy, I am of the opinion that the UK (and most so called “constitutional” monarchies) are really, de facto ceremonial monarchies.
Compare say George III to Charles III. Both are constitutional monarchs, yet, George III held significant power and influence over the government, and Charles III does not.
George III actively exercised all the authority granted to him in British constitutional law. He actively appointed and dismissed ministers, utilised royal patronage, and exercised royal prerogative at his discretion. He has a real influence over day to day government and politics of his day. The Whigs threw a few tantrums at this, but George III nonetheless acted well within British constitutional law.
Charles III technically holds all the same powers, but he exercises none of it by his own accord. It is done by ministers on his behalf. When he does act it is again, on the advice of ministers. The easiest example is dissolving Parliament, which he retains the formal authority to do, but it is only done at the PMs request.
I would argue the switch really happened in the reign of Queen Victoria. William IV was the last to attempt to dismiss a government and failed to do so. From there on, the British Crown was heavily constrained by convention till today. Obviously, things had been moving in this direction since, the “Glorious” Revolution (some argue it was the English Civil War but I do not believe so, Charles II possessed all the traditional prerogatives his father did, dissolved Parliament at numerous times during his reign, and for the last 4 years of his reign ruled without it entirely). But the switch from a constitutional to a ceremonial monarchy happened in 1834.
A constitutional monarchy, I would say, is one where the monarch is constrained by constitutional law, and exercised his authority in accordance with it. The UK today still fits this de jure, but, I would argue, de facto, it has slipped into what is effectively a ceremonial monarchy.
Please do tell me what you think of this.
