Future of the Monarchy

The Constitution Unit has been interested in the future of the monarchy for many years. In 2008, Dr Bob Morris wrote a chapter in Constitutional Futures Revisited, edited by Professor Robert Hazell, on the future reign of Charles III.

Our first major publication on the future of the monarchy was published to mark Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday in 2016. This paved the way to two other projects, also led by Professor Hazell and Dr Morris: on accession and coronation and a comparative study of the other monarchies in western Europe.

Following the accession of Charles III in 2022, Professor Hazell wrote a report on the future of the monarchy for the Institute for Government and Bennett Institute for Public Policy’s Review of the UK Constitution. And, ahead of his coronation, he edited a report on the future of the monarchy for UK in a Changing Europe in 2023.

The British Monarchy

In April 2023, the Constitution Unit and UK in a Changing Europe jointly published a report edited by Professor Hazell explaining what the monarchy does, how it does it and placing it in its wider historical and comparative context. The British Monarchy featured contributions from a dozen leading experts delving into a broad range of issues and topics.

Future Challenges for the Monarchy

In December 2022, the Constitution Unit jointly published Professor Hazell’s guest paper with the Institute for Government and the Bennett Institute for Public Policy as part of its a Review of the UK Constitution. Future Challenges for the Monarchy outlined some of the key issues and challenges facing the monarchy.

The Queen at 90: The Changing Role of the Monarchy, and Future Challenges

In June 2016, the Constitution Unit published a major report, The Queen at 90: The Changing Role of the Monarchy, and Future Challenges. Written by Professor Hazell and Dr Morris, it examined how Elizabeth II’s reign saw a significant reduction in her personal prerogative power, but with no reduction in the monarch’s ceremonial functions.

Project information

This project was led by Professor Robert Hazell, with Dr Bob Morris. Its primary report was published in June 2016.

Image attribution: ‘Prince Charles’ by Dan Marsh (CC BY-SA 2.0).