ABSTRACT
The monarchy e crown is the symbol of all executive authority. It is conferred on the monarch. e monarchy is the oldest secular institution in England and dates back at least to the ninth century. In Anglo-Saxon and Norman times, the formal power that the crown conferred – executive, legislative and judicial – was exercised personally by the monarch. e King had a court to advise him and, as the task of government became more demanding, so the various functions were exercised on the King’s behalf by other bodies. ose bodies now exercise powers independent of the control of the monarch, but they remain formally the instruments of the crown. e courts are Her Majesty’s courts and the government is Her Majesty’s government. Parliament is summoned and prorogued by royal decree. Civil servants are crown appointees. Many powers – prerogative powers – are still exercised in the name of the crown. e monarch exercises few powers personally, but those powers remain important. However, the importance of the monarchy in the twenty- rst century derives more from what it stands for than from what it does.
