英国君主
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英國君主是英國及英國海外領地的國家元首。現今的英國君主可追源溯本至盎格魯-薩克遜人時期，但論及古代血統，則以古蘇格蘭君主為準。由於多個英格蘭王國在第一次維京時期中漸漸消亡，威塞克斯於公元九世紀成功統領了英格蘭中的其他王國。公元十世紀，英格蘭正式合併成為單一王國。1603年，蘇格蘭國王詹姆士六世登基為英格蘭國王，從此英格蘭國王及蘇格蘭國王統一為一位君主。1707年，兩個王國合併為聯盟，成為聯合王國。
直至今時今日，君主特權仍然是非常廣泛的。不過，行使這些權力通常並非君主本人，而是作為代表的英國國務大臣。例如政府行政和簽發護照的事務，均由大臣代行。一些重要特權，如解散國會，則在首相和內閣的意見下，名義上由君主本人執行。根據國會會議記錄，君主並不能創立新的特權。
英國憲法早有規定，政權由首相、內閣及包括英國上議院及英國下議院的英國國會完全掌握，君主則為國會中一名無黨派成員。因此，現代英國君主是立憲制的，而君主的實際角色限於非黨派功能（如作為勳銜的頒授者）。這個角色從十九世紀起就被確定。在《英國憲法》（English Constitution, 1867）一書中，英國作家華特．百格漢茲指出，君主是政府中一個「莊嚴性」的部份，而非實用性。實際上，今日政權皆由國會、首相和內閣行使。君主雖是英國國教會的最高首腦，但實際上教會的精神領袖是坎特伯里大主教。
現任的君主是1952年2月6日登基的女王伊莉莎白二世，王儲是她的長子威爾士親王查爾斯王子。威爾斯親王和女王丈夫愛丁堡公爵菲利普親王經常出席各種公開儀式。除了前面所述的，皇室成員還包括女王的其他子女、孫兒及堂表親。
英國君主亦為英聯邦之領袖。同一人對於英聯邦中，十五個完整和獨立的國家（包括英國），皆是君主的身份。
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[编辑] 歷史
[编辑] 英格蘭君主
大不列颠岛上在罗马时代之前就已经有君主了。这些凯尔特君主中有许多人与将不列颠尼亚（大致相当于今英格兰和威尔士）作为本国省份的罗马结盟或臣服于之。 罗马在５世纪前期撤出不列颠尼亚,此后的一段历史被称为黑暗时代。盎格鲁、撒克逊和朱特人在此定居，建立国家，其中七个最强大的国家被称作七国（Heptarchy）。然而，这一时期有几分令人迷惑，毕竟它们并未向我们真实地传达关于当时不列颠的复杂政局。各邦各自为政；在某些时候， 一个强大的君主能够支配其他国王：没有“英国国王”。而有关“王侯盟主（Bretwalda）就是一些强国国王”的观点纯属想像——这只是用来对抗霸主的礼仪性象征。
随着维京人的袭击与他们９世纪时的定居潮，威塞克斯（Wessex）王室脱颖而出，成为全英格兰地区的支配者。阿尔弗雷德大帝（Alfred the Great）保卫了威塞克斯并获得对麦西亚（Mercia）西部的统治权，但他并没有成为英国国王，他于此最接近的称号是“盎格鲁－撒克逊之王”。虽然直到埃德加（和平王）（Edgar the Peaceful）当政期间，英格兰的领土仍未摆脱分裂状况，但阿尔弗雷德大帝的继承者已经在１０世纪建立了英国的雏形。尽管反抗丹麦的长期战争导致了２５年的丹麦王统，１１世纪的英国还是变得更稳定。当诺曼底大公威廉于１０６６年征服英国时，他成为英王威廉一世，此时英国的王权可能是欧洲最强的。无论从政治还是社会演变意义上，诺曼征服在英国历史上都是决定性的。新王朝沿用了起源于盎格鲁－撒克逊时代的中央集权制度。与此同时，封建制度也持续发展。
威廉一世的土地先后被两个儿子——威廉二世、亨利一世继承。亨利作出一个引发争议的决定——任命其唯一存活的女儿玛蒂尔达为王储。亨利于１１３５年逝世后,斯蒂芬——其孙子之一声称拥有对王位的继承权，并统治着大部分男爵。然而，斯蒂芬的宽松的制度使玛蒂尔达得以挑战王权。结果，英国迅速堕入无政府状态（the Anarchy）。斯蒂芬仍旧在余生中微弱地掌握权力，但他最终妥协了：同意使玛蒂尔达之子亨利继承王位。因此亨利于１１５４年成为金雀花王朝（Angevin or Plantagenet）首位国王亨利二世。
金雀花王朝大多数时期的王权被国王与贵族之间的斗争与市民暴动所践踏。亨利二世面对着他自己的儿子——未来的国王理查一世与约翰。尽管如此，亨利确实成功地扩张了王国的版图；最值得注意的是征服由众多敌对国家组成的爱尔兰。亨利委任约翰为“爱尔兰统治者”。
在亨利弥留之际，其长子狮心王理查继承了王位。然而理查在位的大部分时间不在英国，因为他去东地中海参加了十字军（Crusades）。当理查去世时，约翰继承英格兰王位，于是英格兰与爱尔兰归于一个统治者。无地王约翰的统治标志着国王与男爵冲突的顶点——1215年，约翰被强制颁布大宪章（Magna Carta），以确保贵族的权利与自由。此后不久，约翰废除了该宪章，从而使得英格兰陷入了史称第一次男爵之战的内战。这场战争由于约翰于1216年逝世并传位予年仅9岁的儿子亨利三世而戛然而止。尔后，这批男爵在蒙特福德的西蒙（第六代列斯特伯爵）的带领下反抗王权——第二次男爵之战开始。然而这次王党大获全胜，大量的反叛者被处以死刑。
后来的君王爱德华一世在维护王权方面更加成功：他征服了威尔士，并试图占据苏格兰。可是，他在苏格兰的收益都被其继承人爱德华二世丧失殆尽——他的精力也被消耗在与贵族旷日持久的斗争中。爱德华二世在1311年被迫将其大部分权力转让予贵族委员会（ordainers）；然而，1322年的军事胜利使他恢复了权力。尽管如此，爱德华二世还是在1327年被妻子：法兰西的伊萨贝拉与儿子：将来的国王爱德华三世废黜并处以死刑。新国王不久之后就声称拥有法国王位继承权，挑起英法百年战争（Hundred Years' War）。英军的出征极其成功，并在征服法国大多数地区后臻于极盛。 爱德华三世在位期间也标志着英国议会的进一步成长——它首次分为两院。1377年，爱德华三世驾崩，将王国留给10岁大的孙子理查二世。新王就如祖先们那样，与贵族发生冲突——尤其是在中央集权问题上，理查二世试图牢牢掌握大权。1399年，当理查二世出征爱尔兰时，其堂弟亨利四世篡位，理查二世不得不逊位，而后被暗杀。
亨利四世是爱德华三世的孙子、兰加斯特公爵约翰（John of Gaunt|John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster）的儿子。因此，他开创的王朝叫兰加斯特王朝（House of Lancaster）。他在位的大部分时期，亨利四世都必须打击阴谋与叛变者，他的成功部分归功于王储亨利五世的军事才能。亨利五世本人于1413年继任后，几乎摆脱了国内的冲突，从而有机会继续进行百年战争。亨利五世的征服是全胜的，但他于1422年的突然死亡使其幼子亨利六世嗣位，并使得法国得以倾覆英国对其统治。亨利的摄政者的不得人心，以及亨利六世鲜有成效的领导，使王朝的统治摇摇欲坠。兰加斯特王朝面临着约克王朝（House of York）的挑战——是为玫瑰战争。约克家族的首领是爱德华三世的后裔——约克公爵理查（Richard, Duke of York）。虽然理查在1460年的一场战役中阵亡，其长子爱德华四世于翌年（1461）带领约克派走向胜利。尽管如此，玫瑰战争（The War of the Roses）还是在爱德华四世、爱德华五世、理查三世时期断断续续地进行着。最终，兰加斯特家族的分支——都铎家族赢得了胜利：1485年，理查三世在Bosworth Field战役中阵亡，亨利七世（亨利·都铎）上台执政。
玫瑰战争的结束导致了英国君主制历史的一个重要转折。大多数贵族不是在战场上被成批地杀害，就是在战后由于参与敌对兰加斯特家族的战争而被判处死刑；许多贵族领地被王室没收；封建主义开始灭亡，贵族的封建军队也变得过时了。因此，都铎君主轻而易举地重建起中央集权制，先前与贵族的冲突至此也宣告终结。王室的权力在都铎第二位国王亨利八世时到达顶峰。亨利八世的统治标志着一次重大政治变革——英格兰从先前的一个弱小国家一举跃进为欧洲大国之一。宗教也在发生剧变——国王与教皇的争执导致他脱离天主教并创立英国国教安立甘宗（Anglican Church)。亨利八世在位期间的另一个重要成就是《1535年-1542年威尔士法案》（Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542）后吞并威尔士（它早在数世纪前就被英格兰征服，但一直保持着独立领地的地位）。
亨利八世的儿子、王位继承人——年幼的爱德华六世继续宗教改革。爱德华六世崩于1553年，这使王位继承陷入莫大的危机之中。此前，爱德华六世已经提防着同父异母的姐姐玛丽一世（天主教徒）继承王位，并因此深信应该让简·格雷女士成为王储（虽然此前从未有女性统治英格兰）。然而，简的在位时间只有九天；而深得人心的玛丽废黜了她、撤消了她的女王身份，并宣称她自己才是合法的国王。玛丽一世企图通过对众多新教徒当作异教徒，并对其施以火刑，从而将英国拉回天主教阵营。玛丽一世崩于1558年，由同父异母妹伊丽莎白一世继承王位。伊丽莎白一世又一度把英国恢复为新教国家。伊丽莎白时代见证了英格兰王国成长为世界大国的历程，正如英格兰在英西战争（1585——1588）、尤其是对西班牙“无敌舰队”的辉煌胜利以及占据北美所昭示的那样。这个年代经常被英国人称作“黄金时代”，特指威廉·莎士比亚与弗朗西斯·培根等人的文化成就。
[编辑] 蘇格蘭君主
如同英格兰一样,苏格兰贵族是在罗马帝国在五世纪早期撤退之后才渐渐产生的。 The two primary groups that lived in Scotland at this time were the Picts (who inhabited the kingdom of Pictavia) and the Britons (who lived in several kingdoms in southern Scotland, including the Kingdom of Strathclyde). The late fifth century was marked by the arrival of another important group, the Scotti (who would later give their name to Scotland), from Ireland. The area settled by the Scotti would become known as the Dál Riata. Kenneth MacAlpin obtained the Pictish Crown in the middle ninth century, and is traditionally viewed as the founder of united Scotland (or kingdom of Alba). The expansion of Scottish dominions continued over the next century, as other territories such as Strathclyde were subjugated or obtained through dynastic marriage.
Early Scottish monarchs did not inherit the Crown directly; instead, they were elected under a custom known as tanistry. Although such was not its original purpose, tanistry soon evolved into a system whereby the monarchy alternated between two branches of the House of Alpin. As a result, however, the two rival dynastic lines clashed, often violently. The problems relating to succession were especially illustrated by the period from 942 to 1005, during which seven consecutive monarchs were either murdered or killed in battle. Tanistry and the rotation of the monarchy between different lines were abandoned after Malcolm II ascended the throne in 1005. Thus, when Duncan I succeeded Malcolm II in 1034, he became the first Scottish monarch to directly inherit the throne. Duncan had previously become King of Strathclyde; as a consequence of his accession as King of Scots, most of modern-day Scotland stood unified under a single monarch. Only a few northern areas under the control of the Vikings remained separate.
In 1040, Duncan suffered defeat in battle at the hands of Macbeth, the subject of William Shakespeare's famous play (The Tragedy of Macbeth). Later, in 1057, Duncan's son Malcolm Canmore avenged his father's death by defeating and killing Macbeth. A few months later, after the murder of Macbeth's son Lulach, Malcolm Canmore ascended the throne as Malcolm III, becoming the first monarch of the House of Dunkeld. In achieving his victory, Malcolm had relied on assistance from England, heralding a long era of English interference in Scottish affairs. England's involvement became apparent after Malcolm III's death in 1093, when it participated in a series of Scottish succession conflicts between Malcolm's brother Donald III and Malcolm's sons.
From 1107, Scotland was briefly partitioned under the will of King Edgar, who divided his dominions between his elder son Alexander I (who ruled northern Scotland as a king) and his younger son David (who ruled southern Scotland as an earl). After Alexander's death in 1124, David inherited his dominions, and Scotland became unified once more. David was succeeded by the ineffective Malcolm IV, and then by William the Lion, the longest-reigning King of Scots before the Union of the Crowns. William participated in a rebellion against King Henry II of England; however, the rebellion failed, and William was captured by the English. In exchange for his release, William was forced to acknowledge Henry as his feudal overlord. The English King Richard I agreed to terminate the arrangement in 1189, in return for a large sum of money needed for the Crusades. William died in 1214, and was succeeded by his son Alexander II. Alexander II, as well as his successor Alexander III, attempted to take over the Western Isles, which were still under the overlordship of Norway. During the reign of Alexander III, Norway launched an unsuccessful invasion of Scotland; the ensuing Treaty of Perth recognised Scottish control of the Western Isles and other disputed areas.
Alexander III's death in 1286 brought his three year-old Norwegian granddaughter Margaret to the throne. On her way to Scotland in 1290, however, Margaret died at sea, precipitating a major succession crisis, during which there were thirteen rival claimants. Several Scottish leaders appealed to King Edward I of England to settle the dispute; Edward chose John Balliol. Edward proceeded to treat Balliol as a vassal, exerting considerable influence over Scottish affairs. In 1295, when Balliol renounced his allegiance to England, Edward I invaded and conquered Scotland. During the first ten years of the ensuing Wars of Scottish Independence, Scotland had no monarch; however, it was informally led by the rebel leader William Wallace. After Wallace's execution in 1305, Robert the Bruce took over and declared himself king. Robert's efforts culminated in success, and Scottish independence was acknowledged in 1328. However, only one year later, Robert died, and the English again invaded under the pretext of restoring John Balliol's "rightful" heir, Edward Balliol, to the throne. Nonetheless, during further military campaigns, Scotland once again won its independence under Robert the Bruce's son David II.
In 1371, David II was succeeded by Robert II, the first Scottish monarch from the House of Stewart (later Stuart). The reigns of both Robert II and his successor, Robert III, were marked by a general decline in royal power. When Robert III died in 1406, regents had to rule the country; the monarch, Robert III's son James I, had been taken captive by the English. Having paid a large ransom, James returned to Scotland in 1424; in order to restore his authority, he used ruthless measures, including the execution of several of his enemies. James II continued his father's policies by subduing influential noblemen. At the same time, however, the Estates of Scotland (the Scottish Parliament) became increasingly powerful, often openly defying the King. Parliamentary power reached its zenith during the reign of the ineffective King James III. As a result, James IV and his successors tended to avoid calling parliamentary sessions, thereby checking the power of the Estates.
In 1513, James IV launched an invasion of England, attempting to take advantage of the absence of the English King Henry VIII. His forces met with disaster at Flodden Field; the King, many senior noblemen, and over ten thousand soldiers were killed. As James IV's son and successor, James V, was an infant, the government was taken over by regents. After he reached adulthood, James ruled successfully until another disastrous war with the English in 1542. James's death in the same year left the Crown in the hands of his six-day-old daughter, Mary; once again, a regency was established. Mary, a Roman Catholic, reigned during a period of great religious upheaval in Scotland. Due to the efforts of reformers such as John Knox, a Protestant ascendancy was established. Mary caused considerable alarm by marrying a fellow Catholic, Lord Darnley, in 1565. After Lord Darnley's assassination in 1566, Mary contracted an even more unpopular marriage with the Earl of Bothwell, who was widely suspected of Darnley's murder. The nobility rebelled against the Queen, forcing her to abdicate and to flee to England (where she was imprisoned and later executed by Elizabeth I). The Crown went to her infant son James VI, who was brought up as a Protestant. James VI would later become King of England upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I.
[编辑] 兩個王室合併以後
當1603年伊麗莎白一世駕崩後，都鐸王室也就跟著結束，由於伊麗莎白沒有子嗣，所以由蘇格蘭國王詹姆士六世繼位，成為英格蘭王詹姆士一世。 雖然英格蘭與蘇格蘭在同一個國君統治下共組共主邦聯，但是兩個王國仍然保持分離狀態。詹姆士是屬於斯图亚特王室，而王室經常與英格蘭議會為了王權與議會的權利發成衝突，尤其是在課稅的方面經常有不一樣的看法。冲突在詹姆斯一世统治时期变得尤为明显查理一世。查理一世在1629到1640年11年暴政期间在没有通过国会的许可下激怒了当时的反对者们，进行统一征税，采用有争议的宗教政策（该政策遭到了绝大多数苏格兰人长老会长老们和英格兰清教徒的反对）。在1642年，国王和议会之间的冲突达到了顶点，并因此而引发了英格兰内战。战争在国王的因素下达到顶点，推翻君主制，并建立共和体制即现在的英联邦制。然而，在1653年，在一位有着卓越军事和政治天分的奥利弗·克伦威尔的夺权并自称为“贵族保护者”，使得其本人有效的成为了军事独裁者。克伦威尔统治时间直到1658年其去世，其皇位被其子理查德·克伦威尔成功取代。新的“贵族保护者”对皇权并没有太大兴趣；很快他便宣布退位，并以一篇概要宣布回复共和制。但是，由于缺乏一个明确的领袖，导致新的国民和军队的动荡不安，而群众普遍希望能够回复到以前的君主体制。在1660年，英国重新确立了君主制，并由查理一世的儿子查理二世继位。新建立的共和制和国王摄政的体制似乎并不合法；查理二世被认为是自1649年其父亲查理一世去世后的唯一的有实权的国王。
Charles II's reign was marked by the development of the first modern political parties in England. Charles had no legitimate children, and was due to be succeeded by his Roman Catholic brother, James, Duke of York. There arose a parliamentary effort to exclude James from the line of succession; the "Abhorrers," who opposed it, became the Tory Party, whereas the "Petitioners," who supported it, became the Whig Party. The Exclusion Bill, however, failed; on several occasions, Charles II dissolved Parliament because he feared that the bill might pass. After the dissolution of the Parliament of 1681, Charles ruled as an absolute monarch until his death in 1685. The Catholic James II accordingly succeeded Charles (who himself converted to Catholicism on his deathbed). James pursued policy of offering religious tolerance to Roman Catholics, thereby drawing the ire of many of his Protestant subjects. Many opposed James's decisions to maintain a large standing army, to appoint Roman Catholics to high political and military offices, and to imprison Church of England clerics who challenged his policies (see Seven Bishops). As a result, a group of Protestant nobles and other notable citizens known as the Immortal Seven invited James II's daughter Mary II and her husband William of Orange to depose the king. William obliged, arriving in England on 5 November 1688 to great public support. Faced with the defection of many of his Protestant officials, James fled the realm on 23 December of the same year. On 12 February 1689, the Convention Parliament declared that James's flight constituted an abdication, and that William III and Mary II (not James II's Catholic son James Francis Edward Stuart) were joint Sovereigns of England and Ireland. The Scottish Estates soon followed suit.
James's overthrow is normally known as the Glorious Revolution, and was one of the most important events in the long evolution of parliamentary power. The Bill of Rights 1689 affirmed parliamentary supremacy, and declared that the English people held certain rights, including the freedom from taxes imposed without parliamentary consent. The Bill of Rights also required future monarchs to be Protestants, and provided that, after any children of William and Mary, Mary's sister Anne would inherit the Crown. Mary died childless in 1694, leaving William as the sole monarch.
一場政治危機在1700年漸漸的升高, 當安妮公主的子嗣都過世後，只剩下安妮公主唯一擁有繼承王位的權利，議會唯恐信仰天主教的遜王詹姆士二世企圖再次奪取王位，1701年議會通過了《王位繼承法》，法案當中規定由威廉的遠方表妹信仰新教的漢諾威選帝侯夫人索菲亞的後代才有資格繼承王位。在法案通過沒多久，威廉三世駕崩，由安妮公主繼承王位。
在安妮女王繼位後，繼承的問題又在度浮上檯面；蘇格蘭的社會階級均認為英格蘭議會非常不尊重他們，在選擇漢諾威選帝女侯蘇菲亞的後代為王位繼承人的問題上並沒有跟蘇格蘭討論過，因此，蘇格蘭議會通過《安全法案》，要脅將切斷蘇格蘭與英格蘭之間共主邦聯的模式。而英格蘭議會在1705年也制定《1705年外國人法案》來反制，該法案也威脅蘇格蘭倘若切斷與英格蘭之間的關係，英格蘭也會切斷與蘇格蘭之間的自由貿易，來破壞蘇格蘭的經濟。最後，蘇格蘭議會默認了《1707年聯合法案》，將蘇格蘭與英格蘭兩個王國合併為單一的大不列顛王國，而大不列顛王國的王位繼承也有王位繼承法來決定。
Accordingly, in 1714, Queen Anne was succeeded by the son of the deceased Sophia of Hanover, George I, who consolidated his position by defeating Jacobite rebellions in 1715 and 1719. The new monarch was much less active in government than many of his predecessors, preferring to devote much of his time to the affairs of his German kingdoms. Instead, George left much of his power to his ministers, especially to Sir Robert Walpole, who is often considered the first (unofficial) Prime Minister of Great Britain. The decline of the influence of the monarch and the rise of the power of the Prime Minister and Cabinet continued during the reign of the next monarch, George II, but was halted during that of George III. George III attempted to recover much of the power given up by his Hanoverian predecessors; he also acted to keep the Tories (who favoured royal control in government more than the Whigs) in power whenever possible. George III's reign was also important because of the union of Great Britain and Ireland into the United Kingdom under the Act of Union 1800. At the same time, George III also dropped the claim to the French Throne, which had been nominally made by all English monarchs since Edward III.
From 1811 to 1820, George III was insane, forcing his son, the future George IV, to rule as Prince Regent. During the Regency, and later during his own reign, George IV continued to maintain what remained of royal authority, instead of ceding it to Parliament and the Cabinet. His successor, William IV, attempted to do the same, but met with much less success. In 1834, William dismissed the Whig Prime Minister, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, over policy differences, and instead appointed a Tory, Sir Robert Peel. In the ensuing elections, however, the Whigs maintained a large majority in the House of Commons; they forced Peel to resign by blocking most of his legislation, thus leaving the King with no choice but to recall Lord Melbourne. Since 1834, no monarch has appointed or dismissed a Prime Minister contrary to the will of the democratically chosen House of Commons. William IV's reign was also marked by the passage of the Great Reform Act, which reformed parliamentary representation and abolished many rotten boroughs. The act, together with others passed later in the century, led to an expansion of the electoral franchise, and the rise of the increasingly legitimate House of Commons as the most important branch of Parliament.
The final transition to a constitutional monarchy was made during the long reign of William IV's successor, 维多利亚女王. 作為一個女人, 維多利亞不能統治漢諾威王國，所以英國與漢諾威王國的共主邦聯模式瓦解。The Victorian Era was an historic one for the United Kingdom, and was marked by great cultural change, technological progress, and the establishment of the United Kingdom as one of the world's foremost powers. In recognition of British rule over India, Victoria was declared Empress of India in 1876. However, the reign was also marked by increased support for the republican movement, due in part to Victoria's permanent mourning and lengthy period of seclusion following the death of her husband in 1861.
維多利亞女王的兒子， 愛德華七世在1901年成為英國薩克森-科堡-哥達王朝的第一代國王。 然而，到了1917年，喬治五世在一战期间，为了安抚民心以及顯現出對抗德國的決心，捨棄自己的德國姓氏，將王室名從薩克森-科堡-哥達改成為溫莎。 George V's reign was also marked by the separation of Ireland into Northern Ireland (which remained a part of the United Kingdom) and the Irish Free State (an independent nation) in 1922. Soon thereafter, Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster 1931, under which self-government was granted to several parts of the British Empire. Formerly, the entire Empire was deemed to be the territory belonging to the British Crown; after the passage of the Statute, however, each dominion obtained its own monarchy. Hence, George V was separately King of the United Kingdom, King of Canada, King of Australia, and so forth.
喬治五世在1936年駕崩後，由愛德華八世繼位，但是沒多久，愛德華八世宣佈要娶一位曾經離婚的美國女子 华里丝·辛普森, 縱使英國國教派反對再娶離婚人士，但是愛德華八世仍然堅持自己的想法，因此宣佈退位。英國議會以及海外領地均接受國王的要求。愛德華八世與其子嗣在繼承王位的名單消除。喬治六世取代其兄成為英國國王。 The new monarch served as a figurehead for the British people during the Second World War, making several morale-boosting visits to munitions factories and to areas bombed by Nazi Germany. 喬治六世也是最後一位英國國君擁有印度國王的頭銜，印度於1947年獲得獨立。
當1952年英王喬治六世駕崩後，由當今女王伊莉莎白二世繼位。在她的治理時間, 仍然有一些人推動並且支持英格蘭成為共和體制的國家，尤其是當王室出現負面名聲的時候，推動共和體制的人士就會開始鼓吹 (例如：當威爾士親王與王妃離婚時)。不過，絕大多數的英國人民仍然繼續支持王室。
[编辑] 英國皇位繼承
Main articles: Succession, Coronation
Succession is governed by several enactments, the most important of which are the Bill of Rights 1689 and Act of Settlement 1701. The rules for succession are not fixed, but may be changed by an Act of Parliament. However, the United Kingdom has a common monarchy with other Common Realms; if the UK changes the rules of succession without the consent of the other Realms, the shared monarchy may come to an end.
Succession is according to the rules of male-preference cognatic primogeniture, under which sons inherit before daughters, and under which elder children inherit before younger ones of the same sex. The Act of Settlement, however, restricts the succession to the natural (non-adopted) legitimate descendants of Sophia, Electress of Hanover (lived 1630–1714).
The Bill of Rights and Act of Settlement also include certain religious restrictions, which were imposed because of the English people's mistrust of Roman Catholicism during the late seventeenth century. Most importantly, only individuals who are Protestants at the time of the succession may inherit the Crown. Moreover, a person who has at any time professed Roman Catholicism, or has ever married a Roman Catholic, is also prohibited from succeeding. One who is thus disabled from inheriting the Crown is deemed "naturally dead" for succession purposes; the disqualifications do not extend to the individual's descendants. In recent years, there have been some efforts to remove the religious restrictions (especially the specific rules relating to Roman Catholicism), but the provisions still remain in effect.
Upon a "demise in the Crown" (the death of a Sovereign) his or her heir immediately and automatically succeeds, without any need for confirmation or further ceremony. (Hence arises the phrase "The King is dead. Long live the King!") Nevertheless, it is customary for the accession of the Sovereign to be publicly proclaimed by an Accession Council that meets at St. James's Palace. After an appropriate period of mourning has passed, the Sovereign is also crowned in Westminster Abbey, normally by the Archbishop of Canterbury. A coronation is not necessary for a Sovereign to rule; for example, Edward VIII was never crowned, yet was undoubtedly king during his short reign.
After an individual ascends the Throne, he or she continues to reign until death. Monarchs are not allowed to unilaterally abdicate; the only monarch to voluntarily abdicate, Edward VIII (1936), did so with the authorisation of a special Act of Parliament. Historically, however, numerous reigns ended due to irregular or extralegal procedures; several monarchs have been killed, deposed, or forced to abdicate, chiefly during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The last monarch involuntarily removed from power was James II, who fled the realm in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution; Parliament interpreted his flight as an abdication.
[编辑] 攝政期
Main articles: Regency Acts, Counsellor of State
Under the Regency Act 1937 and Regency Act 1953, the powers of a monarch who has not reached the age of eighteen, or of a monarch who is physically or mentally incapacitated, must be exercised by a regent. A physical or mental incapacity must be certified by at least three of the following people: the Sovereign's spouse, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, and the Master of the Rolls. The declaration of three or more of the same persons is also necessary to terminate the regency and to allow the monarch to resume power.
When a Regency is necessary, the next qualified individual in the line of succession becomes Regent; no special parliamentary vote or other confirmation procedure is necessary. The Regent must be aged at least twenty-one years (eighteen years in the case of the heir apparent or heir presumptive), be a British citizen, and be domiciled in the United Kingdom. However, special provisions were made for Queen Elizabeth II by the Regency Act 1953, which states that The Duke of Edinburgh (the Queen's husband) may act as Regent in certain circumstances. The only individual to have acted as Regent was the future George IV, who took over the government of the realm whilst his father, George III, was insane (1811–1820).
During a temporary physical infirmity or an absence from the kingdom, the Sovereign may temporarily delegate his or her functions to Counsellors of State, the Sovereign's spouse and the first four qualified people in the line of succession. The qualifications for Counsellors of State are the same as those for Regents. The present Counsellors of State are: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, Prince William of Wales, Prince Harry of Wales and The Duke of York.
[编辑] 政治角色
君主實際上的權力比理論上的小得多。立憲君主行事受著傳統及慣例的限制，幾乎全部的皇權均在首相及大臣的意見下執行。首相及大臣則通過民選的下議院對人民負責。
君主亦負責在有需要時任命新的首相。任命儀式稱為Kissing Hands，意即吻手。根據不成文的憲法慣例，君主必須任命最可能維持下議院支持的人，通常是下議院中佔大多數議席的政黨之主席。如無政黨佔多數議席（這種情況在英國大選的多數制下少有發生），兩個或以上的政黨會組成聯盟，雙方議定的領袖將會被任命作首相。
The Sovereign appoints and dismisses Cabinet and other ministers on the Prime Minister's advice. Thus, in practice, the Prime Minister, and not the Sovereign, exercises control over the composition of the Cabinet. The monarch may, in theory, unilaterally dismiss a Prime Minister, but convention and precedent bar such an action. The last monarch to unilaterally remove a Prime Minister was William IV, who dismissed Lord Melbourne in 1834. In practice, a Prime Minister's term comes to an end only with death or resignation. (In some circumstances, the Prime Minister is required to resign; see Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.)
The monarch holds a weekly audience with the Prime Minister, as well as regular audiences with other members of the Cabinet. The monarch may express his or her views, but, as a constitutional ruler, must ultimately accept the Prime Minister's and Cabinet's decisions. Walter Bagehot, the nineteenth century constitutional writer, summarises this concept, "the Sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy ... three rights—the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn."
The monarch has a similar relationship with devolved governments of Scotland and Wales. (Northern Ireland presently has no devolved government; its Assembly and executive have been suspended.) The Sovereign appoints the First Minister of Scotland, but on the nomination of the Scottish Parliament. The First Minister of Wales, on the other hand, is directly elected by the National Assembly for Wales. In Scottish matters, the Sovereign acts on the advice of the Scottish Executive. However, as devolution is more limited in Wales, the Sovereign acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom in Welsh matters.
The Sovereign also plays the role of Head of State in the United Kingdom. Oaths of allegiance are made to the Queen, not to Parliament or to the nation. Moreover, God Save the Queen (or, if the Sovereign is male, God Save the King) is used as the British national anthem. The monarch's visage appears on postage stamps, on coins, and on banknotes issued by the Bank of England. Banknotes issued by other British banks, such as the Bank of Scotland and the Ulster Bank, do not depict the Sovereign.
[编辑] 皇室特權
The powers that belong to the Crown are collectively known as the Royal Prerogative. The Royal Prerogative includes many powers (such as the powers to make treaties or send ambassadors) as well as certain duties (such as the duties to defend the realm and to maintain the Queen's peace). As the British monarchy is a constitutional one, however, the monarch exercises the Royal Prerogative on the advice of ministers. Parliamentary approval is not required for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative; moreover, the Consent of the Crown must be obtained before either House may even debate a bill affecting the Sovereign's prerogatives or interests. Although the Royal Prerogative is extensive, it is not unlimited. For example, the monarch does not have the prerogative to impose and collect new taxes; such an action requires the authorisation of an Act of Parliament.
The Sovereign is one of the three components of Parliament; the others are the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It is the prerogative of the monarch to summon, prorogue, and dissolve Parliament. Each parliamentary session begins with the monarch's summons. The new parliamentary session is marked by the State Opening of Parliament, during which the Sovereign reads the Speech from the Throne in the Chamber of the House of Lords, outlining the Government's legislative agenda. Prorogation usually occurs about one year after a session begins, and formally concludes the session. Dissolution ends a parliamentary term (which lasts a maximum of five years), and is followed by general elections for all seats in the House of Commons. These powers, however, are always exercised on the Prime Minister's advice. The timing of a dissolution is affected by a variety of factors; the Prime Minister normally chooses the most politically opportune moment for his or her party. The Sovereign may theoretically refuse a dissolution, but the circumstances under which such an action would be warranted are unclear. (See Lascelles Principles.) No parliamentary term may last more than five years; at the end of this period, a dissolution is automatic under the Parliament Act 1911.
All laws are enacted in the monarch's name. The words "BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's [King's] most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows," known as the enacting formula, form a part of each Act of Parliament. Before a bill can become law, the Royal Assent (the monarch's approval) is required. The Sovereign may, in theory, either grant the Royal Assent (make the bill law) or withhold the Royal Assent (veto the bill). In practice, however, the Royal Assent is always granted; the last monarch to withhold Assent was Anne, who rejected a Scots militia bill in 1708.
The Royal Prerogative with respect to domestic affairs is extensive. The Crown is responsible for the appointment and dismissal of ministers, Privy Counsellors, members of various executive agencies, and other officials. Effectively, however, the appointees are chosen by the Prime Minister, or, for less important offices, by other ministers. In addition, the monarch is the head of the Armed Forces (the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force). It is the Sovereign's prerogative to declare war, make peace, and direct the actions of the military.
The Royal Prerogative, in addition, extends to foreign affairs. The Sovereign may negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements; no parliamentary approval is required. However, a treaty cannot alter the domestic laws of the United Kingdom; an Act of Parliament is necessary in such cases. The Sovereign also accredits British High Commissioners and ambassadors, and receives diplomats from foreign states. In addition, all British passports are issued in the monarch's name.
Furthermore, the Sovereign is deemed the fount of justice, and is responsible for rendering justice for all subjects. The Sovereign does not personally rule in judicial cases; instead, judicial functions are performed in his or her name. For instance, prosecutions are brought on the monarch's behalf, and courts derive their authority from the Crown. The common law holds that the Sovereign "can do no wrong"; the monarch cannot be prosecuted in his or her own courts for criminal offences. The Crown Proceedings Act 1947 allows civil lawsuits against the Crown in its public capacity (that is, lawsuits against the government); however, lawsuits against the monarch personally are not cognizable. The Sovereign also exercises the "prerogative of mercy," and may pardon offences against the Crown. Pardons may be awarded before, during, or after a trial.
Similarly, the monarch is also the fount of honour, or the source of all honours and dignities in the United Kingdom. Thus, the Crown creates all peerages, appoints members of the orders of chivalry, grants knighthoods, and awards other honours. In practice, peerages and most other honours are granted on the advice of the Prime Minister. Some honours, however, are within the personal gift of the Sovereign, and are not granted on ministerial advice. Thus, the monarch alone appoints members of the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle, the Royal Victorian Order, and the Order of Merit.
Finally, the Sovereign is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the officially established church in England. As such, the monarch has the power to appoint archbishops and bishops. The Prime Minister, however, chooses the appointee, though he or she must select from a list of nominees prepared by the Crown Nominations Commission. The Crown's role in the Church of England is titular; the most senior clergyman, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is seen as the spiritual leader of the Church and of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The monarch is only an ordinary member, and not the head or leader, of the established Church of Scotland; however, he or she does hold the power to appoint the Lord High Commissioner to the Church's General Assembly. The Sovereign plays no formal role in the Church in Wales and the Church of Ireland, neither of which is an established church.
The Great Seal of the Realm is the device used to authenticate important official documents, including letters patent, proclamations, and writs of election. The Great Seal of the Realm is in the custody of the Lord Chancellor. For matters relating exclusively to Scotland or Northern Ireland, the Great Seal of Scotland or the Great Seal of Northern Ireland is used, as the case may be.
^ In 1926, Lord Byng of Vimy, Governor-General of Canada (representing the British crown in the Dominion of Canada), refused a request by the Prime Minister of Canada to dissolve a minority parliament, precipitating a constitutional crisis. See King-Byng Affair.)
[编辑] 君主在帝國/英聯邦的角色
1926年之前大英帝國統冶者以英国君主單一元首身份管治其包括全自治領及殖民領土。 然而，《1926年貝爾福宣言》 聲明英国自治領為"autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs."。 《1931年西敏寺法》獲英國國會通過，結束倫敦向(擁有其他自治領君主身份的英國君主)介入/干涉自治領內政的權力。 從始，各自治領分別以不同名義稱乎英國君主。 (例如現今英女王並兼為加拿大女王、澳洲女王、新西蘭女王、牙買加女王，等名義。)
Formerly every member of the British Commonwealth was a Commonwealth Realm. However, when India became a republic in 1950, it was decided that it should be permitted to remain in the Commonwealth, even though the they would no longer share a common monarch with the other Commonwealth Realms. It was nevertheless decided that the British monarch would be acknowledged as "Head of the Commonwealth" in all Commonwealth member states, whether realms or not. The position is purely ceremonial, and is not accompanied by political power.
[编辑] 皇室財務
Main article: Privy Purse
Parliament meets much of the Sovereign's official expenditure from public funds. The Civil List is the sum that covers most expenses, including those for staffing, state visits, public engagements, and official entertainment. The size of the Civil List is fixed by Parliament every ten years; however, any money saved may be carried forward to the next ten year period. Thus, the Sovereign's Civil List expenditure in 2003 was approximately £9.9 million. In addition, the Sovereign receives an annual Property Services Grant-in-Aid (£15.3 million for FY 2003–2004) to pay for the upkeep of the royal residences, as well as an annual Royal Travel Grant-in-Aid (£5.9 million for FY 2003–2004). The Civil List and the Grants-in-Aid are paid from public funds.
Formerly, the monarch met all official expenses from hereditary revenues, including the profits of the Crown Estate. In 1760, however, King George III agreed to surrender the hereditary revenues of the Crown in return for the Civil List; this arrangement still persists. In modern times, the profits surrendered from the Crown Estate have by far exceeded the Civil List and Grants-in-Aid provided to the monarch. For example, the Crown Estate produced over £170 million for the Treasury in the financial year 2003–2004, whereas parliamentary funding for the monarch was less than £40 million during the same period. The monarch continues to own the Crown Estate, but cannot sell it; instead, the estate must continue to pass from one Sovereign to the next.
Aside from the Crown Estate, the Sovereign also owns the Duchy of Lancaster. The Duchy is the monarch's private inherited property, unlike the Crown Estate, which belongs to the monarch in an official capacity. Like the Crown Estate, however, the Duchy is held in trust, and cannot be sold by the monarch. The revenues of the Duchy of Lancaster need not be surrendered to the Treasury; instead, they form a part of the Privy Purse, and are used for expenses not borne by the Civil List. The Duchy of Cornwall is a similar estate held in trust to meet the expenses of the monarch's eldest son.
The Sovereign is subject to indirect taxes such as the value added tax (VAT), but is exempt from income tax and capital gains tax. Since 1993, however, the Queen has voluntarily paid taxes on personal income. As the Civil List and Grants-in-Aid are used solely for official expenditure, they are not taken into account when calculating taxes.
[编辑] 皇室居所 (王宮)
英國國君主要的住所是位於西敏寺的白金漢宮。白金漢宮 is the site of most state banquets, investitures, royal christenings, and other ceremonies. Moreover, visiting heads of state usually reside in Buckingham Palace. 另外一個主要的王宮是溫莎堡, the largest occupied castle in the world. Windsor Castle, located in Windsor, Berkshire, is used principally as a weekend retreat; the monarch also resides there during the Royal Ascot, an annual race meeting that forms a major part of the social calendar. The Sovereign's principal official residence in Scotland is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, more commonly called Holyrood Palace, in Edinburgh. The monarch stays at Holyrood Palace for at least one week each year, and when visiting Scotland on state occasions.
現在仍有一些王宮但是現今的王室並不居住在這些王宮。西敏宮是