Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom is the form of government for the United Kingdom, the crown dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, the British Overseas Territories, and the 14 other Commonwealth realms, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Understand
The monarchy was consolidated in Medieval England. In 1603, it unified with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain (which was followed by a union of states in 1707), and with Ireland in 1801 to form the United Kingdom. Britain came to rule the British Empire, and the monarch is still the Head of State for the Commonwealth realms. In these countries, the monarch is represented by a governor general, who performs the monarch's duties in his absence. While the governors-general used to be sent from Britain during the height of the British Empire, in modern times the governor-general is almost always from the country they are representing the monarch in. The British monarch also holds the title of "Head of the Commonwealth".
The Commonwealth of Nations, formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an international organisation which mostly consists of former British colonies. Today most of them have no formal association with the monarchy (apart from symbolically recognising him as "Head of the Commonwealth"), with most members being republics (Pakistan, India, South Africa, etc.), while Malaysia, Brunei, Eswatini, Lesotho and Tonga have their own indigenous monarchs. Four Commonwealth members were never part of the British Empire: Gabon, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Togo.
These days, the British monarch is largely regarded as a ceremonial figurehead, with the prime minister wielding the most authority in government. However, the monarch still legally has the right to veto bills (prospective laws) that have been passed by Parliament, though this right has not been exercised since Queen Anne did so in 1708. The monarch also regularly meets with the prime minister, which may give him some influence over British politics, and all ambassadorial appointments have to be approved by the monarch. The United Kingdom is the only European monarchy to still hold full coronation ceremonies; all other European monarchies have since transitioned to simpler inauguration ceremonies for new monarchs. The British monarch also serves in a religious role as the ceremonial head of the Church of England, though the Archbishop of Canterbury is the leading clergyman, and is responsible for anointing and crowning new monarchs.
Most years, and certainly after a general election, the monarch leads the State Opening of Parliament, during which he delivers the Speech from the Throne to both houses of Parliament on behalf of the government, more popularly known as the King's Speech. This ceremony is steeped in tradition and is a visual spectacle, one of the few times when all branches of the British government gather in a single place. During the session, you can see the Lords and the Speaker of the House of Commons, as well as various other crown office holders, don their ceremonial robes. Several traditions date back to a time when the relationship between the monarch and Parliament was much more fraught. For instance, the monarch has been barred from entering the House of Commons chamber since the English Civil War, and must instead send a representative (ominously called Black Rod) to summon the Members of Parliament (MPs) for the Opening. Traditionally, MPs slam the door of the Commons in the face of Black Rod, just as they did to Charles I in 1642. Black Rod then raps the door three times with her rod, and the MPs file out led by the Speaker and the Serjeant at Arms, following her to the House of Lords chamber where the King delivers his speech. One MP is also always held as a "hostage MP" at Buckingham Palace prior to the monarch's departure, ostensibly to guarantee his safe return. While attendance at the Palace of Westminster is limited to special guests, the monarch's procession from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster may be viewed from the roadside by the general public, and the entire proceeding is broadcast live by the BBC.
Destinations
The residences of the Royal Family give limited or no access to the public.
- 1 Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London. The main residence of His Majesty King Charles III. In the summer, 19 State Rooms are open to the public, while the King is staying at his Scottish palace at Balmoral. Places are strictly limited, and visitors should book in advance to ensure admission. The Changing of the Guard ceremony happens several days per week at 11AM.
- 2 St James's Palace, Westminster, London. Not open to the public, but can be seen from the street. The most senior of the Royal palaces in London (built between 1531 and 1536) and the official seat of the monarch.
- 3 Sandringham House (6 miles north-east of King's Lynn). The King's house in Norfolk, owned by the royal family (not the nation) since 1862. The ground floor of the house, a museum, the church and the grounds are open - allow four hours to see it all.
- 4 Windsor Castle, Windsor and Eton, bookinginfo@royalcollection.org.uk. The largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and still an official royal residence. Much of the castle, including the magnificent State Apartments and St Georges Chapel are visitable. The apartments are furnished with some of the finest works of art from the royal collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough.
- 5 Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse (Edinburgh Old Town). The Palace is a royal residence, and hosts the Queen's Gallery containing a collection of art from the Royal Collection. The Palace is best known as the home of Mary Queen of Scots and as the site of the murder of Mary's secretary Rizzio, allegedly by her husband, Lord Darnley. The Palace is used occasionally for Royal functions and the King is usually in residence for about a week in late June. The Palace is open to visitors for much of the year,.
- 6 Balmoral Castle, near Ballater. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, bought this land and built a grandiloquent pile of a castle, the prototype of the "Scottish Baronial" style, all mock-turrets and stags heads looming over the stairways. Completed in 1856, it remains the Royal Family's summer holiday home. You can only visit one room within the castle, the ballroom, plus an exhibition in the stables, and the gardens. It was Queen Elizabeth II's preferred summer residence throughout her reign, and she died here on 8th September 2022. See website for dates of guided tours in winter.
- 7 Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Leith. Decommissioned from royal use and voted one of Edinburgh’s best attractions, Britannia offers visitors the chance to tour the royal apartments and view a selection of the many gifts offered to the royals by dignitaries worldwide. Britannia was built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and some of it feels like her personal home, although it has not been used as a Royal Yacht since 1997. Its last engagement was notably to ferry Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong, back to Britain following its handover back to China.
- 8 Hillsborough Castle, Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, ☏ +44 28 9268 1300. Grand Georgian mansion, Northern Ireland's only royal residence. The Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 was signed here, and it was the setting for talks leading to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The guided tour of the house takes in some of the state rooms and the art collection. There are extensive gardens and parkland.
Crown Jewels
The main set of Crown Jewels can be seen in the Tower of London, and a smaller collection, the Honours of Scotland, can be seen in Edinburgh Castle. The Jewels are removed from display when they are required for royal use.
- 9 Tower of London, City of London. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, the Tower is today one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Crown Jewels can be seen in the Jewel House and this is included in the Tower of London admission charge.
- 10 Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Old Town. Edinburgh Castle is a magnificently situated royal fortress located on one of the highest points in the city. The castle has been continuously in use for 1000 years and is in excellent condition. Highlights include the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) and the ancient St Margaret's Chapel.
Others
- 11 Westminster Abbey, Westminster. The de facto royal church of the United Kingdom, part of the Anglican communion. Most coronations have been held here since 1066, the most recent one being that of King Charles III in 2023. Other royal ceremonies such as weddings and funerals are often held here too.
Commonwealth realms
The British monarch is also the head of state of 14 other Commonwealth countries, known as the Commonwealth realms:
- Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.
In each of these countries, the King has an official residence where he stays when visiting those countries. When he is not around, that residence serves as the official residence of the governor general.
- 12 Government House, Canberra, South Canberra. The principal official residence of the monarch in Australia.
- 13 Admiralty House, Sydney, Sydney. Second official residence of the monarch in Australia, built in what is called the "Federation" architectural style.
- 14 Rideau Hall, Ottawa. The principal official residence of the monarch in Canada
- 15 La Citadelle de Québec, Quebec City. The monarch's second official residence in Canada, located within the walled city of Quebec. It is also the headquarters of the French-speaking Royal 22e Régiment of the Canadian Army, who hold a changing of the guard ceremony at 10AM every day in the summer.
- 16 Government House, Wellington, Wellington. Official residence of the monarch in New Zealand, built in a Tudor architectural style.
Stay safe
The highly-trained King's Guard are used to dealing with tourists, and are famed for their stoicism in the face of almost anything. Indeed, they may look somewhat quaint in their ceremonial uniforms. However, they are emphatically not purely symbolic figures stationed as a curiosity for tourists; they are real, serving soldiers with live weapons whose job is to defend the Royal Family. Touching the guards, getting too close, or standing in their way when they are marching will get you bellowed at with their bayonets pointed at you, as some tourists have learnt the hard way (with numerous videos on YouTube to prove it). In the latter case, you will be simply shoved away as the guard proceeds on his march on the originally-intended path. The guards are authorised to use deadly force if they believe that the King's life is in danger.