[imagesource: Reuters]
The British political system is a ‘constitutional monarchy‘ which means that the supreme power held by the monarch is largely ceremonial and formal, with actual political power exercised by others.
The relinquishing of political power is pretty much how the monarchy survived, especially in the 1700s when several other countries with monarchies weren’t looking too hot, as the people rose up, and did things like imprison them and ceremonially remove their heads.
While the Queen holds a bit of sway, she’s more powerful in some areas than others, and some of those areas can only be described as… odd.
The Independent rounded up a few of the bizarre powers that she holds, and we chose a few for your consideration.
Queen of the dolphins
When they say ‘Britannia rules the waves’ they aren’t kidding.
The Queen has dominion over a variety of aquatic creatures including dolphins, sturgeons, and whales, provided they’re swimming in the waters around England and Wales. The rule dates back to a statute from 1324.
Sturgeons, porpoises, whales, and dolphins are recognised as ‘fishes royal’ and are the property of the monarchy.
The Queen doesn’t need a license to drive a car
Licenses are issued in the Queen’s name, but she doesn’t have to have one, or a license plate for that matter.
Despite this, she’s pretty comfortable behind the wheel of a car having learned to drive during World War II when she operated a first-aid truck for the Women’s Auxillary Territorial Service.
The Queen has two birthdays
There’s the ‘official’ birthday in June, which is celebrated with much hand-waving and official celebrations, and her actual birthday on April 21.
On her ‘official birthday’ she is joined by other members of the Family, at the Trooping the Colour parade.
Her actual birthday is marked publicly by gun salutes in central London at midday.
The Queen has her own personal poet
The poet laureate is an honorary position in British society appointed by the Monarch to a poet “whose work is of national significance”.
The poet is paid in sherry.
She can form or dismantle governments
The Queen invites an incoming prime minister to ‘form a government in her name’.
Until very recently, she held the power to dissolve Parliament and call a general election, but the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act put an end to that in 2011.
Then there’s Australia.
As the head of state in Australia, the Queen has certain powers over the government and can fire the prime minister if necessary.
She’s immune from prosecution
Because all prosecutions are carried out in the name of the Sovereign, she is both immune from prosecution and cannot be compelled to give evidence in court.
In theory, the Sovereign “is incapable of thinking or doing wrong,” legal scholar John Kirkhope told Business Insider.
However, barrister Baroness Helena Kennedy QC told the BBC in 2002 that “nowadays, that immunity is questionable.”
This is why she’s careful to keep everything above board.
Head here to read more about what she can and can’t do.
Unfortunately for her, she doesn’t have the power to make the Meghan and Harry scandal go away.
But, at least she can rely on the dolphins to behave themselves.
[source:independent]
