The UK is one of eight parliamentary monarchies in Europe. Our research seeks to inform public debate on a range of issues including the constitutional and political role of the monarchy, prerogative powers, and the relationship between the monarchy, church and state.

Our work in this field began with church and state, looking at the implications of disestablishment. Then in 2016 we published a report about the role and future of the Monarchy. This led on to work on the next accession and coronation, looking in particular at the accession and coronation oaths. Our next project was a comparative study of the eight parliamentary monarchies in Europe, leading to publication of an edited book in 2020. Then came a book on the royal prerogative, and a report on reforming the prerogative, published in November 2022. Our latest contribution is a report on future challenges for the monarchy (December 2022).

We also publish frequent blog posts about the monarchy: the most recent are in the side bar. And you can read a list of FAQs on the Monarchy, coronation and accession below:

British Monarchy: FAQs

Accession and Coronation: FAQs

The Regency Acts: What happens if the King is too ill to work?

The Constitution Unit’s research in this area is led by Professor Robert Hazell and Dr Bob Morris and falls into the following areas.
 

Research

Project Archive >