Applying The Royal Law: A Guide To Christian Living

The British Royal Family is subject to an extensive list of rules and royal protocols, but they also enjoy several royal perks. The monarch is exempt from various laws, including the requirement to have a passport or driver's license, and is not legally liable to pay income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax. The royal family is also exempt from jury duty and, in some cases, speed limits. While the monarchy is technically not above the law, civil and criminal proceedings cannot be taken against the sovereign as a person under UK law. This legal doctrine of sovereign immunity extends beyond the monarch's public duties to their conduct on privately-owned assets, estates, and businesses. Additionally, the royal family is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, allowing them greater privacy regarding their day-to-day duties and financials.

The royal family is exempt from certain taxes

The Royal Law, or "sovereign immunity", is a legal doctrine that grants the British monarch immunity from criminal and civil proceedings. This means that the King is exempt from prosecution under civil or criminal investigations. This rule also extends to the monarch's conduct on privately-owned assets, estates, and businesses. For instance, the King is exempt from punishment over wildlife offences, environmental pollution, and other green crimes.

The Royal Family is also exempt from certain taxes. Under the Sovereign Grant Act of 2011, the King is not "legally liable to pay income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax". This is because the relevant tax laws do not apply to the Crown. This exemption also applies to the income from the Duchy of Cornwall, which is owned by Prince William.

While the monarch is not legally required to pay taxes, since 1993, the late Queen and her first-born child, King Charles III, have voluntarily paid tax on their income, assets, and gains not used for official purposes. The same is true for Prince William, who "voluntarily pays income tax on all revenue from the estate".

Other members of the Royal Family are fully liable for paying taxes like other British citizens, with the cost of their official duties allowed against tax.

In addition to tax exemptions, the Royal Family also benefits from other privileges. They are not required to have passports or driver's licenses, and they are exempt from jury duty and speed limits when driven by police escorts.

The monarch has automatic custody of their descendants

While this rule gives the monarch legal custody of their grandchildren, it is unlikely that the king would ever take his grandchildren away from their parents. In modern times, the sovereign does not interfere in the parenting decisions of their descendants. For example, the current King of the United Kingdom, King Charles III, has not used this prerogative to take custody of his grandchildren, who are direct heirs to the throne: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, children of Prince William and Kate Middleton; and Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The monarch's custody of their descendants is just one of the many royal prerogatives that give the king or queen special rights and privileges over other persons. Other examples include sovereign immunity, which exempts the monarch from criminal and civil proceedings, and exemption from taxes, speed limits, and jury duty.

It is important to note that the royal prerogative regarding custody of descendants may not apply to great-grandchildren. According to royal historian Marlene Koenig, "the law could be applied because the baby will be a direct heir. It would not apply to Princess Anne's descendants, for example." This distinction is made because the prerogative is based on the monarch's custody of their grandchildren, not their great-grandchildren.

In conclusion, while the monarch technically has automatic custody of their descendants, this rule is largely symbolic and is unlikely to be invoked in modern times. The king or queen would only interfere in the parenting of their descendants in extreme circumstances, and the rule does not apply to great-grandchildren who are not direct heirs to the throne.

The royal family is not required to do jury duty

The Royal Law, as it pertains to the British monarchy, refers to the various legal exemptions and privileges that the monarch and their family enjoy. One notable exemption is that the royal family is not required to perform jury duty. This exemption extends to the monarch, currently King Charles III, and their immediate family members.

In the United Kingdom, individuals who fail to fulfil their jury duty without a valid reason can face fines of up to £1,000. However, the royal family is exempt from this requirement due to their royal status. This privilege is afforded to them by the criminal justice bill, which was amended in 2003 to remove the exemption for all members of the royal family, except for the monarch and their immediate family.

The rationale behind this exemption is often justified by the notion that the royal family is considered to be above certain laws that apply to the general public. This is exemplified by the legal doctrine of "sovereign immunity," which grants the monarch immunity from criminal and civil proceedings.

It is worth noting that, despite their exemption from jury duty, Queen Elizabeth II was known for ensuring that her personal activities were carried out in strict accordance with the law. This demonstrates a commitment to upholding the law, even when not legally required to do so.

In conclusion, while the royal family is not required to perform jury duty, they still maintain a level of respect for the legal system and abide by the laws whenever possible. This balance between royal privileges and respect for the law is an important aspect of how the royal law is applied in the context of jury duty.

The royal family is exempt from speed limits when on official business

The concept of the "royal law" is a reference to the various legal exemptions that the British royal family enjoys. While the royal family is required to follow an extensive list of rules and royal protocols, they are also exempt from numerous laws that apply to the general public. One notable example of this is the exemption from speed limits when on official business.

The Royal Family is exempt from adhering to speed limits when they are driven by police escorts on official royal duties. This exemption is derived from the Road Traffic Regulation Act, which permits police, fire, ambulance, and other enforcement agency vehicles to exceed speed limits when necessary. As the royals are always escorted by police officers while completing their royal duties, their vehicles are effectively exempt from following speed regulations. This means that when the King, Prime Minister, or other members of the royal family are on official business, they can travel as fast or as slow as they need to without legal repercussions.

This exemption from speed limits is just one of the many privileges afforded to the royal family. For instance, the monarch is not required to possess a driver's license or a passport, as these documents are issued in the name of the monarch. Additionally, the royal family enjoys exemptions from taxes, jury duty, and certain equality laws. The king also has sovereign immunity, which means he cannot be prosecuted under civil or criminal investigations.

While these exemptions may seem like significant advantages, it is important to note that the royal family is expected to uphold strict standards of conduct and adhere to an extensive list of royal protocols. They are held to a higher standard of behaviour and are expected to act with dignity and responsibility at all times. Furthermore, the late Queen Elizabeth II was known for her commitment to ensuring that her activities were carried out in strict accordance with the law, even when she was not legally required to do so.

In conclusion, the royal family's exemption from speed limits when on official business is just one aspect of the broader concept of the "royal law," which encompasses a range of legal exemptions and privileges afforded to the British monarchy. While these exemptions may provide practical benefits, they also come with the expectation of exemplary conduct and a commitment to upholding the values and traditions of the monarchy.

The royal family is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act

The Royal Family is exempt from many laws that ordinary citizens must follow. One notable exemption is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). While the FOIA allows any person to request information from public authorities, the Royal Household is not considered a public authority under this Act and is therefore exempt from its provisions. This means that the Royal Family is not subject to the same level of transparency and accountability as other public institutions.

This exemption allows the Royal Family to maintain a significant level of privacy over their day-to-day duties and financials. For example, while the Royal Household releases an annual financial report, the public is prevented from accessing detailed information on its spending. This lack of transparency has been criticised by some, who argue that it undermines the principles of democracy and equality that the nation proclaims to uphold.

The Royal Family's exemption from the FOIA is not absolute, however. The Act does apply to communications with members of the Royal Family held by public authorities. Certain information relating to communications with the Sovereign, the heir, and the second in line to the throne is absolutely exempt from the Act, while information relating to other members of the Royal Family and the Royal Household is subject to a public interest test. Additionally, the exemption has a lifespan of 20 years from the creation of the record or five years from the death of the relevant member of the Royal Family, whichever is longer.

The Royal Family's exemption from the FOIA is just one of many privileges they enjoy. They are also exempt from taxes, jury duty, speed limits when driven by police on official duties, and passport and driver's license requirements when travelling. These exemptions are based on the legal doctrine of "sovereign immunity," which grants the monarch immunity from criminal and civil proceedings. While some of these exemptions may be necessary to ensure the security and smooth functioning of the Royal Household, others, like the FOIA exemption, have been criticised for reducing the transparency and accountability of the Royal Family to the public.

Frequently asked questions