Elizabeth II

[rogue06]

Nah it was mostly Charles they accused.

According to the Oprah interview the only ones who were not racist in the royal family were the Queen and Prince Phillip, which is interesting given the latter's long history of racist and "troubling" remarks. In fact, they even accused the British media of racism with Meghan proclaiming they called her children the [n-word], although I haven't run across any examples.

[Mountain Man]

Her decline was pretty evident for several months now.

Well, I'll admit to not keeping up with foreign news of that sort, although I've since read that she was still performing state functions and greeting dignitaries just a day before her death, so it still seems to have transpired relatively quickly.

[Reepicheep]

With a length of 23 seconds, "Her Majesty" is the shortest song the Beatles ever recorded:

The Queen is dead. Long live the King.

[Sparko]

So exactly what power does a King or Queen have in the UK? Are they just basically a figure head/diplomat? How does it all work?

[tabibito]

So exactly what power does a King or Queen have in the UK? Are they just basically a figure head/diplomat? How does it all work?

The monarch's powers vary with the country. To the best of my knowledge, the only real power the monarch holds is to disband the military. In Australia, powers are a bit broader - even to sacking the government (which has been done, once). What happens in New Zealand, Canada etc. - no idea.

[rogue06]

The monarch's powers vary with the country. To the best of my knowledge, the only real power the monarch holds is to disband the military. In Australia, powers are a bit broader - even to sacking the government (which has been done, once). What happens in New Zealand, Canada etc. - no idea.

You guys can elect people into office only to have the king or queen proclaim "we are not amused" and summarily dismiss all of them?

Boy, did we make the right choice in 1776.

[Reepicheep]

So exactly what power does a King or Queen have in the UK? Are they just basically a figure head/diplomat? How does it all work?

Way back in high school (1977) I was taught that the Queen's power in Canada is absolute, so long as she never uses it.

The Canadian military, for example, reports directly to the Monarchy (King Charles III) and not the Canadian government. More specifically, the Canadian Chief of the Defense Staff reports directly to the Governor General of Canada (who is appointed by the Reigning Monarch) who reports to King Charles III.

[Gondwanaland]

So exactly what power does a King or Queen have in the UK? Are they just basically a figure head/diplomat? How does it all work?

Largely as a figurehead. Most of their powers have been delegated to other parts of government.

They're head of the military though (commander in chief), and also appoint the Prime Minister. Usually it's whoever has support of the majority of parliament but they can choose their own (usually only do that with a hung parkiament). They can also dissolve parliament and get a new election held.

[tabibito]

You guys can elect people into office only to have the king or queen proclaim "we are not amused" and summarily dismiss all of them?

Boy, did we make the right choice in 1776.

It isn't all that simple. The government has to lose the ability to govern or be trying to govern illegally before the power can be invoked. By "sacking the government" I mean all of it - both houses, every seat declared vacant, matters go back to the electorate try again.

[tabibito]

Largely as a figurehead. Most of their powers have been delegated to other parts of government.

They also appoint the Prime Minister. Usually it's whoever has support of the majority of parliament but they can choose their own

Last monarch to try that was Victoria, who didn't like the parliamentary leader of the majority party. She lost the fight.

[Gondwanaland]

Last monarch to try that was Victoria, who didn't like the parliamentary leader of the majority party. She lost the fight.

Yep. Technically they have the power to dismiss the PM as well, but that hasn't happened since 1834 (and likely would never be exercised except perhaps an extreme circumstance like a PM refusing to resign after a no confidence or something like that)

[seer]

Just listen to Charles, he is giving up all his charities and politics - thankfully we won't have to hear about global warming from him anymore...

[Mountain Man]

So exactly what power does a King or Queen have in the UK? Are they just basically a figure head/diplomat? How does it all work?

It seems they mainly exist as figureheads, historical curiosities living lavishly at the taxpayer's expense.

[seanD]

It seems they mainly exist as figureheads, historical curiosities living lavishly at the taxpayer's expense.

Putting all the creepy things about them aside, I'll never figure out why America fawns over them. Aren't these the folks we led a bloody revolution to get away from?

[seer]

I'll never figure out why America fawns over them. Aren't these the folks we led a bloody revolution to get away from?

As Christians we are monarchist. We worship the Sovereign King of the Universe. Perhaps a good and decent queen like Elizabeth reflect (a bit) that status.