British monarchy

:This article describes the British monarchy from the perspective of the United Kingdom. In the other Commonwealth Realms, the constitutional role of the monarchy is identical, but the historical and cultural significance may differ.

Regency

Main articles: Regency Acts, Counsellor of State

Related Topics:
Regency Acts - Counsellor of State

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Under the Regency Act 1937 and Regency Act 1953, the powers of a monarch who has not reached the age of eighteen, or of a monarch who is physically or mentally incapacitated, must be exercised by a regent. A physical or mental incapacity must be certified by at least three of the following people: the Sovereign's spouse, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and the Master of the Rolls. The declaration of three or more of the same persons is also necessary to terminate the regency and to allow the monarch to resume power.

Related Topics:
Regency Act 1937 - Regent - Lord Chancellor - Speaker of the House of Commons - Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales - Master of the Rolls

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When a Regency is necessary, the next qualified individual in the line of succession becomes Regent; no special parliamentary vote or other confirmation procedure is necessary. The Regent must be aged at least twenty-one years (eighteen years in the case of the heir apparent or heir presumptive), be a British citizen, and be domiciled in the United Kingdom. The only individual to have acted as Regent was the future George IV, who took over the government of the realm whilst his father, George III, was insane (1811–1820). However, the Regency Act 1953 states that if the successor to the Queen is in need of a regency, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh will act as Regent. However, if the Queen herself is in need of a long-term regency, the next eligible in line of succession will act as Regent, unless that person is not one of the Queen's children or grandchildren. In that case, the Duke of Edinburgh will be regent.

Related Topics:
Heir apparent - Heir presumptive - Domicile - George IV - George III - 1811 - 1820 - Regency Act 1953 - HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During a temporary physical infirmity or an absence from the kingdom, the Sovereign may temporarily delegate his or her functions to Counsellors of State, the Sovereign's spouse and the first four qualified people in the line of succession. The qualifications for Counsellors of State are the same as those for Regents. The present Counsellors of State are: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (the Queen's husband), HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince William of Wales, HRH The Duke of York, and HRH The Earl of Wessex.

Related Topics:
Counsellors of State - HRH The Duke of Edinburgh - HRH The Prince of Wales - HRH Prince William of Wales - HRH The Duke of York - HRH The Earl of Wessex

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~