Content deleted Content added
m →Her Majesty's Government and the Crown: removing "legitimate", since this seems too normative |
|||
Line 40:
==Her Majesty's Government and the Crown==
{{Main|Royal Prerogative in the United Kingdom}}
The [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]], currently [[Elizabeth II]], is the [[head of state]] and the [[sovereign]], but not the [[head of government]]. The monarch takes little direct part in governing the country and remains neutral in political affairs. However, the authority of the state that is vested in the sovereign, known as [[the Crown]], remains as the source of executive power exercised by the government.
In addition to [[Act of Parliament|explicit statutory authority]], the Crown also possesses a body of powers in certain matters collectively known as the [[Royal Prerogative|royal prerogative]]. These powers range from the authority to issue or withdraw passports to declarations of war. By long-standing convention, most of these powers are delegated from the sovereign to various ministers or other officers of the Crown, who may use them without having to obtain the consent of Parliament.
| |||