Royalty And Law: Who Wins In A Clash?

While the British royal family is required to follow an extensive list of rules and royal protocols, they are exempt from certain laws. The monarch is above the law and cannot be prosecuted under civil or criminal investigations. They are also exempt from paying taxes, having a driver's license, using a passport, and serving jury duty. The royal family is also not required to use their legal last name, and they are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.

The Queen could theoretically break any law without legal repercussions

The British Queen enjoys sovereign immunity, which means that she cannot be prosecuted under civil or criminal investigations. This means that, theoretically, the Queen could break any law without facing legal repercussions.

The Queen is at the heart of the justice system in the United Kingdom. All authority for justice is carried out on her behalf, and cases are tried as The Crown versus (or R versus, where R stands for Regina, Queen in Latin). While the Queen no longer plays an active role in the administration of justice, she is still in a position where she is above the law.

The British Monarch cannot be arrested or be the subject of civil and criminal proceedings, meaning she is effectively exempt from the law. This has been the case for centuries and remains true and practicable today. However, it is important to note that the Queen does not test this prerogative. The official British Monarchy website states:

> "Although civil and criminal proceedings cannot be taken against the Sovereign as a person under UK law, The Queen is careful to ensure that all her activities in her personal capacity are carried out in strict accordance with the law."

The Queen has never been in a position where her legal standing is in question, as it cannot be questioned. Regardless of what she does, it cannot be declared illegal. However, if the Queen were to do something that contravened British laws, there would likely be an uprising from the British people about how she can get away with blatant breaches of the law. This could even spell the end of the Monarchy.

In addition to being exempt from civil and criminal proceedings, the Queen also does not need a passport to travel, a driver's license, or a number plate for her car. She also does not have to use her legal last name, and she has automatic legal custody of all her descendants and minor grandchildren.

The Royal Family is exempt from paying taxes

The Royal Family's exemption from the standard inheritance tax rules dates back to an agreement made with the government in 1993. This agreement states that the Sovereign is exempt from inheritance tax to prevent the dilution of the Crown's wealth and ensure the continuity of the monarchy's functioning. For example, when Queen Elizabeth II inherited the estate from her mother, the Queen Mother, in 2002, it was exempt from inheritance tax. However, this exemption is not blanket and primarily applies to assets passed from one sovereign to another, not to other family members. Estates passed to the children of the monarch, like Prince William and their respective siblings, could be subject to inheritance tax under regular conditions.

Prince Charles' income from the Duchy of Cornwall is also exempt from taxes, but he "voluntarily pays income tax on all revenue from the estate." The Royal Family also does not have to pay capital gains tax or local taxation, although they do so voluntarily.

The Queen does not need a passport to travel

The Queen of England, Her Majesty, does not require a passport to travel, unlike the rest of the Royal Family. This is because all passports in the United Kingdom are issued in the name of Her Majesty, and it would be unnecessary for the Queen to possess one. The cover of a British passport features the Royal Arms, and the first page contains another representation of the Arms, with the following text:

> Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires, in the name of Her Majesty, all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.

In Commonwealth countries where the Queen is Sovereign, a similar formula is used, except that the request is made in the name of the realm's Governor-General, as the Queen's representative. In Canada, the request is made in the name of Her Majesty by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Queen is also exempt from possessing a driver's license, as all licenses are issued in her name. She was never required to take a driving test and does not need a license plate on her vehicles.

The Queen enjoys sovereign immunity, meaning she cannot be prosecuted under civil or criminal investigations. She is effectively exempt from the law and cannot be arrested or charged. However, the Royal Family's website notes that the Queen is careful to ensure that her activities are carried out in strict accordance with the law.

The Queen is not required to have a driver's license

The Queen is the only person in the United Kingdom who does not need a driver's license to drive. This is because all driver's licenses in the UK are issued in the name of the monarch, and it would be redundant for the Queen to issue a license to herself.

The Queen first learned to drive during World War II when she trained as a driver and mechanic for the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. She has been driving for decades and is often pictured driving herself to events, such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show. She has an impressive car collection worth over £10 million and is a fan of Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Bentleys, and Jaguars.

While the Queen is not required to have a driver's license, she is still expected to follow other driving laws. For example, she is only permitted to drive without a number plate on her state car, and only when off-road or on private land, such as her Balmoral estate in Scotland.

The Queen's exemption from needing a driver's license is just one of the many legal perks that come with being a member of the royal family. Other exemptions include not needing a passport to travel, not having to do jury duty, and not being required to use their legal last name.

The Royal Family is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act

The British Royal Family is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. This means that the Royal Household is not considered a public authority, and is therefore not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts. While the Royal Family is not bound by the FOI Acts, it is important to note that they still maintain a level of transparency and accountability. For example, the Royal Household has voluntarily provided full details of public funding for the Head of State since 2001 and commits to posting annual financial reports online.

The exemption from the Freedom of Information Act allows the Royal Family to maintain a degree of privacy regarding their day-to-day duties and financial affairs. Specifically, this exemption pertains to communications with the Queen, other members of the Royal Family, or the Royal Household. This exemption is outlined in Section 37 of the FOI Act, which provides an absolute exemption for information related to communications with the Sovereign, the Heir to the Throne, and the second in line to the Throne. For other members of the Royal Family and the Royal Household, the exemption is qualified and subject to a public interest test.

The Royal Family's exemption from the Freedom of Information Act has been a topic of debate and criticism. Some argue that this exemption allows the Royal Family to operate with a lack of transparency and unchecked influence. Critics point out that the public is prevented from accessing detailed information on how public funds are spent by the Royal Household and the extent to which the Royal Family influences government policies.

Despite the exemption, the Royal Family still adheres to certain legal obligations and standards. For instance, the Queen is committed to ensuring that her activities in a personal capacity are carried out in strict accordance with the law. Additionally, the Royal Family is subject to other laws and regulations, such as the Data Protection Act for personal information, and the Public Records Act for papers originating from the Royal Household but held by external bodies.

In summary, while the Royal Family is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, they still maintain a level of transparency and accountability through voluntary disclosures and adherence to other legal obligations. The exemption allows them to maintain privacy in specific areas, particularly communications with the Sovereign and key members of the Royal Family. The balance between privacy and transparency in the Royal Family's operations continues to be a subject of discussion and scrutiny.

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