The Queen’s Authorities

The Queen is the United Kingdom’s Head of State. As well as carrying out significant constitutional functions, The Queen also acts as a focus for national unity, presiding at ceremonial occasions, visiting local communities, and representing Britain around the world. The Queen is also Head of the Commonwealth. During her reign she has visited all the Commonwealth countries to gain direct contact with people from all walks of life.

Ceremonial activities have long been associated with the monarchy. The Queen formally opens the new session of Parliament each year, usually in October or November. She is at times accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. Before the royal procession sets out, a detachment of the Yeomen of the Guard (dating from 1485, they are the oldest of the royal bodyguards) searches the cellars of the Houses of Parliament. This tradition dates back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes was arrested whilst preparing to blow up Parliament.

As constitutional monarch, the Sovereign is required, on the advice of Ministers, to assent to all Bills issued by Parliament. The Royal Assent has not been refused since 1707. the role of the Sovereign in the enactment of legislation is purely formal today although The Queen has the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn.

The Queen retains certain residual powers, notably to appoint a Prime Minister, and to decide whether or not to grant a dissolution of Parliament. These days, however, The Queen’s influence is mainly informal. She has a right and a duty to express her views on government matters to the Prime Minister at their weekly audiences, but these meetings and all communications between the Monarch and her Government remain strictly confidential.

The Queen’s role in the administration of justice is entirely symbolic; she does not herself judge cases nor does she play any part in the judicial process. Today the task of administering justice is carried out by others acting in The Queen’s name. By the coronation oath, and by common law and various statutes, the Sovereign is required to cause law and justice to be administered with mercy to every individual. In the United Kingdom, all jurisdiction therefore derives from the Crown: the courts are The Queen’s courts; the judges are Her Majesty’s judges and derive their authority from the Crown; criminal prosecutions are brought in the name of the Sovereign against those charged; the prisons are Her Majesty’s Prisons; and prisoners are detained ‘during Her Majesty’s pleasure’.

In the area of law, as in her other public actions, The Queen acts solely on the advice of her Ministers. For example, although The Queen appoints senior judges, she does so on recommendation of the Prime Minister. The prerogative of mercy (by which the Sovereign may, for example, grant free or conditional pardons or remit penalties) is also exercised on the advice of her Ministers. The British regard this old tradition with reverence.

TASK 4. Explain the meaning of the following phrases:

1. The Queen also acts as a focus for national unity.
2. The Queen retains certain residual powers.
3. The Sovereign is required to cause law and justice to be administered with mercy to every individual.
4. Prisoners are detained ‘during Her Majesty’s pleasure’.

TASK 5. Find in the text above the English equivalents for the following words and expressions:

1. отправление правосудия
2. общее право
3. уголовное преследование
4. роспуск парламента
5. введение закона в силу
6. Пороховой Заговор
7. представители всех слоев общества
8. смягчать наказание
9. помиловать, даровать амнистию
10. лейб-гвардеец; телохранитель короля

TASK 6. Answer the following questions:

1. What are the main authorities of The Queen?
2. Why is The Queen’s role in law-making process purely formal?
3. What is The Queen’s role in the administration of justice?

TASK 7. Render the following article into English: