The UK Constitution part 1: The Crown

Ever wondered about the real power behind the Crown in the UK? It's more than just crowns and ceremonies. The UK's constitution, unlike many others, isn't written down in one place. Instead, it's a fascinating mix of history, laws, and traditions that have developed over centuries. Understanding how the Crown operates within this system is key to grasping how the UK is actually governed.

This week, The Bench Report takes a close look at the powers held by the Crown in the UK. We explore how this authority isn't just about the monarch as an individual, but also represents the power of the government itself.

Here’s what you’ll discover:

 * The Royal Prerogative Explained: We break down these unique powers that historically belonged to the monarch but are now mostly used on the advice of the Prime Minister and government ministers, without needing direct parliamentary approval.

 * Who Does What: Learn about the different ways these powers are used – sometimes by the King personally (like appointing the PM), sometimes on ministerial advice (like ending a Parliament session), and sometimes directly by government ministers (like making treaties).

 * Limits and Balances: Discover the crucial checks on the Crown's power, including laws passed by Parliament, decisions made by courts, and long-standing unwritten rules called constitutional conventions.

 * The Crown and Government Branches: We examine how the Crown interacts with Parliament (the law-making body), the executive (the government), and the judiciary (the courts).

Extended shownotes on Substack.

Source: The United Kingdom constitution – a mapping exercise
Research Briefing
Published 23 April, 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0....