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Learn what a constitutional monarchy is and how it works from Britannica's editors. Find out which countries have this system of government and how it differs from other forms of monarchy.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchies
- Semi-Constitutional Monarchies
- Conclusion
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
1. Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is a single Caribbean nation. It has been a constitutional monarchy since 1981, when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom. The figurehead monarch remains to be Queen Elizabeth II, and she appoints the governor-general, who is the head of state. The prime minister and parliament are both democratically elected.
2. Australia
Australia became a constitutional monarchy on 1 January 1901 when the British colonies on the continent united to create a nation-state with 7 states and territories. The figurehead monarch continues to be Queen Elizabeth II, and she appoints the governor-general as her representative. There was a failed republican movement and referendum to succeed in 1999 which was led by Malcolm Turnbull, who went on to become prime minister.
3. The Bahamas
The Bahamas gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1973 and became a constitutional monarchy. The figurehead monarch is Queen Elizabeth II. The parliament is unicameral, meaning it does not have a senate or house of Lords like the USA and UK respectively.
28. Bahrain
Since 1783, Bahrain has been ruled by the descendants of Khalifa bin Mohammed. Powers still held by the king of Bahrain include the ability to unilaterally dissolve parliament, veto legislation, and call for new elections. The king is involved in daily political decision-making and has significant religious authority as the head of the Bahraini branch of Sunni Islam.
29. Bhutan
The Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan has had a hereditary monarchy since 1907. Over time, the Druk Gyalpo (translation: head of state) has ceded a lot of power to the parliament, but not all. The Druk Gyalpo clan can appoint government officials, issue pardons, and grant citizenship. Through his ability to appoint officials, he can still exercise limited power over the nation.
30. Jordan
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy that has been in place since the Arab Spring of 2011. The figurehead monarch is King Abdullah II and the prime minister is the head of government. King Abdullah II accepted the demands of Arab Spring protesters to cede more of his power to the democratic bodies. Jordan is one of the most liberal Arab countries, as reflected in the power of the parliament. However, the 2010s did have some troubles, with the king sacking 3 prime ministers. He appears to still...
Constitutional monarchies have a monarch as the head of state but also a constitution in which power is granted to a representative body. Most constitutional monarchies today have a democratically elected parliament that holds the majority of power. The monarch is merely a figurehead. However, there are some constitutional monarchies that continue ...
Learn about the different types and features of constitutional monarchies, such as parliamentary and semi-constitutional, and see a list of 38 countries that have them. Find out which monarchs are figureheads and which have some political power, and how they came to be constitutional monarchies.
Constitutional monarchies range from countries such as Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Bhutan, where the constitution grants substantial discretionary powers to the sovereign, to countries such as the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Lesotho, Malaysia, Thai...
Learn what a constitutional monarchy is and how it differs from an absolute monarchy. Explore the history and current examples of constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, and Japan.
Apr 13, 2024 · Monarchy is a political system based on the rule of a single person, who is usually inherited. Learn about the history, functions, and types of monarchies, such as constitutional monarchy, in this article from Britannica.
- Joseph Kostiner
- Monarchy is a political system in which supreme authority is vested in the monarch, an individual ruler who functions as head of state. It typicall...
- Monarchy is a political system based on the sovereignty of a single ruler. Democracy, a term that means “rule by the people,” is a political system...
- The divine right to rule, also known as the “divine right of kings,” is a political doctrine asserting that monarchs derive their authority from Go...
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Learn about the political system headed by a monarch with limited powers, such as Great Britain, Belgium, and Japan. Explore the history, features, and examples of constitutional monarchies in the world.
Sep 12, 2022 · What Is a Constitutional Monarchy? Even without a written constitution, Britain follows laws and carefully documented traditions that together bind the king.
