Modern Monarchy: State, Nation and Commonwealth

Seminar Series: Constitutional Law

One hallmark of the Queen’s reign has been the diminution of her personal constitutional power. Despite this, or arguably due to this, one of most remarkable features of British public life in the past twenty years has been the rehabilitation of the Monarchy and broader Royal Family when trust in other political institutions has declined. From the nadir of the annus horribills, the Monarchy and Royal Family has largely avoided the scandal and radical reform seen in other political institutions, and has evolved into an institution enjoying record popularity. This evolution has been facilitated by a compliant media. However, this evolution may give way to radical change when a new monarch takes to the throne.

The management of such change requires a proper understanding of the role of the monarchy today set against a turbulent constitutional and political background. This seminar seeks to achieve this by exploring the challenges and contradictions inherent in the three core roles of the Modern Monarchy: Head of State, Head of Nation and Head of the Commonwealth. Resolving these challenges and contractions requires an understanding of existing political and constitutional dynamics as revealed by Brexit and the result of the 2017 General Election. From this, the place of the Monarchy in public life, and the appropriate role for future monarchs and future members of the Royal Family can be established.

This seminar, forms part of a broader research project, entitled, “Modern Monarchy”. Further details are available at www.craigprescott.com/modernmonarchy

Speaker: Dr Craig Prescott, The University of Winchester