The royal prerogative

The royal prerogative refers to the special powers and privileges that historically belonged to the British monarch, such as the ability to appoint ministers, issue pardons, and declare war. While these powers were traditionally exercised by the king or queen, today they are mostly carried out by government ministers in the name of the monarch. This means that while the monarch has these rights, they are largely ceremonial today, with actual governance resting in the hands of elected officials. The royal prerogative is an essential aspect of the UK's constitutional framework.