What power does the queen have?

Today we have a new Prime Minister. She was chosen 2 days ago, but she couldn't become Prime Minister because she was waiting to meet the Queen. That happened today, at 6pm, and now our Prime Minister is Theresa May.

The Queen has an important role in our government. How important? We can see her face on coins and stamps, but what real power does she have?

Secret conversations

Every Wednesday evening, the PM (Prime Minister) and the Queen meet in private for a chat. Nobody knows what they talk about, it's a secret.

Can the Queen tell the Prime Minister what to do?

She can give advice, but she can't give orders. The Prime Minister makes the decisions. Does the Queen try to persuade the Prime Minister to change things? She has the right to advise, encourage and warn her ministers, but we don't know if she puts pressure on the PM to do things her way.

Does the Prime Minister enjoy talking to the Queen?

Lots of Prime Ministers have said they found their weekly chats very helpful. In 2014 David Cameron said 'it helps me to sort out the problems in my own head.' If you go to this article you can read what other Prime Ministers have said. Many say that the Queen is a good listener. The Queen herself has said that she is 'like a sponge.' It seems like she doesn't try to force her opinions on the PM, but we don't know for sure.

Can parliament open without the Queen?

No. Every year the Queen puts on her crown and opens parliament. The only time parliament can open without the monarch is if she or he dies. In that case, and if parliament is already closed, they open it without the monarch, and plan what to do.

Does the queen control parliament?

Parliament is our government, and the Queen is one part of it. Parliament has three parts- the monarch, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Queen opens parliament every year but she doesn't control it. In fact, the monarch is not allowed inside the House of Commons except by invitation. To learn why, click here. (Warning! It's a violent story.)

Does the Queen make laws?

Yes and no. New laws can't be made without the monarch's signature. When the House of Commons and House of lords agree on a new law, they give it to the Queen. When she signs it, it becomes an 'Act of Parliament.' However, she can't really say no. She always signs every new law, and has never refused.

When did the monarchy lose its power?

It has happened slowly. Hundreds of years ago, the monarchy had all the power, and the people had very little. Sometimes, we had a king who was very unfair, and the people protested to get more power. For example the Magna Carta, 1215, and the Civil War, 1642-49. To read more about this, click here.

What if the next monarch tries to take back control?

People worry about this. Prince Charles is next in line to be king, after Queen Elizabeth II. He is a man with strong opinions. Some say that if made king, he will try to use his position to make changes. Perhaps his mother, the Queen agrees? If she wants to, she can retire at any time and make him king. She's 90 years old! But she is still Queen. Some people think that she is waiting to pass the throne to her grandson, William, instead.

It isn't fair, to have one person who is born to power. But at the moment most Brits accept the monarchy, because the Queen is very popular just now. If that changes, the people of Britain might begin once more to protest. Who knows what will happen then?

Glossary

chat - an informal conversation

advise - give advice/ give suggestions

encourage - say 'Go on! You can do it!'

warn - say 'Be careful!'

persuade - convince/ argue

monarch - king or queen

refused - said no

retire - stop working (in old age)

throne - seat for a king or queen

#Britishculture #LifeintheUK