Monarchy, the constitution & Parliament | Queen Elizabeth II Parliamentary Affairs special collection

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Parliamentary Affairs special collection: Monarchy, the constitution and Parliament

The Queen's Speech delivered by the then Prince of Wales during the May 2022 State Opening of Parliament. ©UK House of Lords

Monarchy and its constitutional role in the UK's parliamentary democracy has been the theme of a number of articles in our journal, Parliamentary Affairs, throughout the reign of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This special online collection from the archives draws together some of these articles, dating back to Her late Majesty's accession in 1952.

Articles

The Queen in Parliament

Sir Albert Napier (1953)

The British Constitution in 1953

Wilfrid Harrison (1953)

The Crown and Parliament

Graeme C. Moodie (1956)

The Monarchy and the Constitution

Vernon Bogdanor (1996)

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The Queen in Parliament

Sir Albert Napier (1953) | Download PDF

As Permanent Secretary to the Lord Chancellor's Department – now the Ministry of Justice – and Clerk of the Crown in Chancery for the decade preceding Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, Sir Albert had a unique perspective on the relationship between the Palace, Government and Parliament. Here, the former barrister navigates the intricate procedures, ceremonies and issues leading up to and surrounding Elizabeth II's inaugural parliamentary session, including Prorogation, the State Opening and the role of the Privy Council.

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The British Constitution in 1953

Wilfrid Harrison (1953) | Download PDF

The passing of the Independence of India Act in 1947 – just five years before the Accession of Queen Elizabeth II – preceded a period of significant constitutional change for Britain. In this article, Wilfrid Harrison explores how these changes developed in the years leading up to and throughout the 1953 coronation year, and the effect they had on the Coronation Service itself. Wilfrid Harrison was Professor of Politics at Warwick University and founder of the University's Politics Department.

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The Crown and Parliament

Graeme C. Moodie (1956) | Download PDF

"[T]he monarchy does not govern, but must subordinate itself, in its public political activities, to those who do", writes Graeme Moodie in this article on the evolution of the relationship between Parliament and the Crown, published shortly after the Suez Crisis in 1956. Developments around the subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Anthony Eden, Moodie explains, illustrate one of the "dangers" a monarch can face when tasked with appointing a new Prime Minister in the absence of an established alternative. Graeme Moodie was Professor and founding Head of the Politics Department at the University of York.

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The Monarchy and the Constitution

Vernon Bogdanor (1996) | Download PDF

Covering the cornerstones in British constitutional history – from William the Conqueror, through the signing of Magna Carta and the 1688 Revolution, up until the reported 1986 disagreements between the Palace and the Government over the latter's policy on apartheid – Professor Bogdanor analyses the development of the monarchy alongside parliamentary democracy, explaining how the relationship has shaped our modern system of government. Vernon Bogdanor is currently a Research Professor at the Centre for British Politics and Government at King's College London.

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About Parliamentary Affairs

Parliamentary Affairs is the quarterly journal of the Hansard Society, published by Oxford University Press, and covers all aspects of representation and politics connected to parliaments and legislatures in the UK and around the world.

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Latest / Highlights

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 27-30 April 2026

Ahead of prorogation, the Foreign Affairs Committee will question Morgan McSweeney and Sir Philip Barton about Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Ambassador to Washington. The week will be dominated by legislative “ping-pong” on four Bills: the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, the Pensions Schemes Bill, the Crime and Policing Bill, and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. MPs will also consider carry-over motions for the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill and the Public Office (Accountability) Bill. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden will face MPs’ questions. Peers will debate agricultural payment reforms, while select committees examine national security, social media harms, and environmental oversight. Proceedings may be curtailed by prorogation bringing an end to the Session on Wednesday.

News / Keir Starmer’s week of parliamentary torture over Mandelson appointment - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 140

Keir Starmer faced “ordeal by Parliament” this week after a tense Commons statement on Peter Mandelson’s US ambassadorship followed by an emergency debate, fraught PMQs, and probing select committee hearings about what he knew of security vetting. Joined by lobby journalist Tony Grew, we dissect the deepening political crisis - examining Starmer’s defence, Sir Ollie Robbins’ testimony, and Labour unrest - while asking whether prorogation could help the Prime Minister dodge another grilling at PMQs. And as the first session of this Parliament draws to a close, we look at the rising stars shaping the work of the Commons. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

News / Dynamic alignment and Henry VIII powers: What will the Government’s EU reset mean for Parliament? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 139

A major “EU reset” bill could allow Ministers to dynamically align UK law with EU rules using so-called Henry VIII powers, raising fresh questions about Parliament’s role and scrutiny. We are joined by Professor Catherine Barnard to explore the trade-offs and implications. We also examine Parliament’s surprise block on Church of England governance reforms and ask whether shutting down Parliament for a two-week prorogation – when it cannot be recalled – is wise in an increasingly unstable world. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

Submissions / Written Parliamentary Questions - Our evidence to the House of Commons Procedure Committee

The use of Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs) is rising sharply. Since July 2024, MPs have tabled questions at unprecedented levels. By late 2025 MPs were tabling over 600 per sitting day, more than double the long-term average. WPQs are a cornerstone of parliamentary scrutiny, helping MPs obtain information, challenge government policy and put issues on the public record. But this surge raises important questions about how Parliament balances transparency and accountability with the practical limits of the system. The House of Commons Procedure Committee is now examining the issue and has just published our submission containing our latest data and analysis.

News / Who really decides Immigration Rules: Parliament or the Home Secretary? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 137

Who really controls immigration law when Ministers can rewrite key rules with minimal parliamentary scrutiny? Jonathan Featonby of the Refugee Council explains the Home Secretary’s far-reaching powers over Immigration Rules. We also discuss the Crime and Policing Bill, where amendments on AI and abortion highlight the challenges posed by rushed law-making and executive overreach. And we look ahead to the next phase of the assisted dying debate, as supporters in the House of Commons prepare for a renewed legislative push in the next parliamentary Session. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

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