The Royal Prerogative

Currently RP

• Personal Prerogatives and Crown Prerogatives also constitutional conventions.
• “whilst the legal position is that prerogative powers belong to the Monarch,by constitutional convention they are exercised according to the wishes of the Government.”

Some of RP

• Justice and law & order – e.g. nolle prosequi (the power to stop prosecutions as exercised by the Attorney General in the name of the Crown), the prerogative of mercy (to reduce sentences or pardon offenders).
• Foreign affairs – e.g. the power to enter into international treaties, and to conduct diplomatic relations.
• Armed forces, war and emergency – e.g. to make military appointments.
• Miscellaneous – e.g. the power to dispense honours, such as knighthoods or OBEs (Order of the British Empire). These are granted by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is independently advised by a Political Honours Scrutiny Committee.