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British Cultural Studies (Subject) / The Monarchy (Lesson)

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• the appearance - queen almost no power - every autumn = state opening of parliament --> queen elizabeth II makes a speech --> chose anybody she likes to run the government --> no restrictions on who she picks as her PM or other ministral positions  --> if she gets fed up she can dismiss them  --> are all servants of the crown  --> summons the parliament and who dissolves it  --> has to give her royal assent --> embodies the law in the courts  --> when an accused person is found guilty, he or she is sent to one of her majestys prisons
• the reality - choose someone who will command majority support in the house of commons - really the PM who decides who the other government ministers are going to be - impossible for monarch to refuse request to hold an election - royal assent = someone else signs the documents for her - in reality = queen no power - when opening the parliament = speech has been written for her - cannot stop the government going ahead with any of its politics
• the royal family - Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother --> mother of Queen Elizabeth II - Queen Elizabeth II --> *1926 / queen in 1952 - Prince Philip Mountbatten --> married to queen elizabeth II in 1947 - Prince Charles, the prince of wales --> eldest son of queen elizabeth II *1948 / heir to throne - Princess Diana --> married prince charles in 1981 / separated in 1992 +1997 - Camilla, duchess of cornwall --> married prince charles in 2005 - princess anne --> queen's daughter *1950 - prince andrew, the duke of york --> *1960 second son - prince edward --> *1964 third son - prince william * 1982 / prince harry *1984 --> sons of charles and diana 
• the role of the Monarch - 1.) personal embodiment of the government of the country - because of the clear separation between the symbol of government (queen) and the actual government, changing the government doesn't threaten the stability of the country - 2.) monarch is possible final check on a government that is becoming dictatorial - 3.) very practical role to play --> figurehead and representative of the country / can perform the ceremonial duties which heads of state often have to spend their time on
• the value of the Monarchy - importance to do with social psychology and economics - gives british ppl a symbol of continuity and a harmless outlet for expressions of national pride - a focus of reverence for those ppl who have a tendency to hero worship 
• the future of the Monarchy - most ppl are in favour or don't care - much debate about what kind of monarchy britain should have - queen herself is widely admired - negative = how much it cost

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