No one can "turn their back" on the queen
Subjects were not allowed to turn their back to the sovereign, in most circumstances.
Other faux pas include turning your back on the Queen – it is considered rude – and taking photographs while visiting her at home. Guests should also never leave an event before a royal, unless special permission has been granted, and one should avoid any personal questions – polite small talk will suffice.
The British monarch can't be arrested or be the subject of civil and criminal proceedings, meaning he is effectively exempt from the law. King Charles enjoys sovereign immunity, meaning he can't be prosecuted under a civil or criminal investigation. This rule also applied to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The power to dissolve parliament is "perhaps the most important residual prerogative exercised personally by the sovereign, and represents the greatest potential for controversy." This prerogative is normally exercised at the request of the prime minister, either at his or her discretion or following a motion of no ...
Prince Harry served for close to a decade in the British armed forces, but since he stepped down from his royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry is considered a non-working royal. Because of this, he cannot wear his military uniform and is not permitted to salute as other working members of the royal family did.
On 11 March 1708, she vetoed the Scottish Militia Bill on the advice of her ministers. No monarch has since withheld royal assent on a bill passed by Parliament.
A royal phone
As well as a number of private lines, the monarch's private mobile phone was unique. It may 'just' be a Samsung as many of us non-Royals have, but it was much more special.
The monarch appoints the governor-general and the governors, on the advice of the respective State and Federal executive governments. These are now almost the only constitutional functions of the monarch with regard to Australia.
As nominal leader of the United Kingdom from 1952 to 2022—the country's longest-serving monarch—she exerted influence felt the world over. But despite such enormous impact, the Queen held no real power in British government—and nor does her successor, King Charles III.
Although there is no formal law that forbids future monarchs from showing affection, Queen Elizabeth II set a precedent that encouraged royals to keep their hands to themselves. This is why you rarely see Prince William and Kate Middleton smooching in public, or even holding hands.
According to the British Monarchy website, "there are no mandatory codes of behavior when meeting the queen", but notes that many people prefer "to practice traditional forms".
Most people know that as a general rule, the Queen can't be prosecuted. While this may rile republicans, it is actually the norm for heads of state to enjoy this substantial legal privilege, at least while they're in office.
There are still many people who would like to pay their respects to the late monarch, including at her resting place at Windsor Castle. We pick out the key places to pay tribute, and where to stay near each.
A period of mourning will take place, although only the date of the Queen's funeral (yet to be announced) will be a national holiday. A period of royal mourning will be observed from now until seven days after the Queen's funeral.
"But there is no hard and fast rule, and if you can't do it or don't feel comfortable doing it or don't want to do it that's fine; it doesn't mean you hold the queen in any less respect and you won't be sent to the Tower." Another royal source added, "People do tend to bow or curtsy to the queen, and that's just good ...
The simple answer is No. Australia does not pay a cent for the maintenance or security of the Sovereign.
The Queen receives a yearly sum through what is known as the Sovereign Grant , which is equivalent to £1.29 per person in the UK. In Aussie dollars, that's around $2.23 per person, which last financial year amounted to a whopping $148 million.
She is the longest-serving monarch in British history. Busy from morning to night, she carries out more speeches and public meetings than all other members of the Royal family combined.
The Queen is scared of nothing.
What time do the royals go to sleep? The Duchess of Cambridge came in close second, however, and, in case you're wondering, her sleep routine is royally similar to the Queen's. Apparently, she heads to bed at 10.30pm each evening in order to get a good night's sleep.
The Queen has a private indoor swimming pool at Buckingham Palace, which has long been a favourite spot for the entire royal family.
If Britain ever did decide to get rid of the monarchy, it would be a constitutional matter requiring legislation from parliament.
Constitutional convention requires that the declaration of war or commitment of British armed forces is authorised by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Crown. Parliament has no official constitutional role in the process.
Personalised exemptions for the Queen in her private capacity have been written into more than 160 laws since 1967, granting her sweeping immunity from swathes of British law – ranging from animal welfare to workers' rights.