Taking physick – or – the news of shooting the King of Sweden!, by James Gillray (died 1815), published 1792.
Wikimedia Commons
British society takes monarchy far more seriously than they did two centuries ago. Far too seriously.
What do you call a democracy that depends on the exclusion of whole groups from political participation?
Gaia/Wikipedia Commons
Democracy today contains within itself impulses towards both inclusion and exclusion. Spinoza’s thinking on aristocracy should alert us to how democratic rule by the people can be hollowed out.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met by Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau.
Dominic Lipinski / PA Wire/Press Association Images
The royal visit to Canada raises some important constitutional questions.
EPA/Christopher Jue
Japan is already in the midst of one delicate constitutional debate – and now it’s been confronted with another.
Is the ‘golden relationship’ already on the rocks?
Dominic Lipinski / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Is being rude to overseas visitors an attempt to hold on to the pride that comes with power?
EPA/Robert Perry
Britain’s longest-reigning monarch has seen a big rise in life expectancy since her birth in 1926.
It’s a demanding job, but all indicators suggest that the Queen is still up to it.
EPA/Facundo Arrizabalaga
The British monarchy is in good shape. Here’s how to make sure it stays that way.
Charles I attempts to arrest five members of Parliament in 1642.
Charles West Cope/Wikimedia Commons
The idea that only Parliament should set British laws emerged to protect the people from the King.
Ask her, Michael, go on, ask her.
PA/Steve Parsons
Picking and choosing your constitutional conventions can be more trouble than it’s worth.
Vladimir Wrangel / Shutterstock.com
The tiltyard – like the football pitch – was an important arena in which men could demonstrate their prowess in front of a vast audience.
Me next!
Reuters
The question of who will replace the Queen as Head of Commonwealth is not as simple as it sounds.
Off to award some knighthoods.
David Cheskin/PA
Why our honours system is a great thing to have.
AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is fighting a 12-year jail sentence for arson and other crimes.
Reuters/Sumaya Hisham
By challenging the courts, King Dalindyebo is testing the degree of impunity with which traditional leaders can get away.
63 not out.
Reuters
The Queen has now been on the throne for 63 years and 217 days. As the embodiment of Britain, it has been certainly been a role that’s out of the ordinary.
Best for business.
Luke MacGregor/Reuters
Having a Queen is a distinct business advantage, particularly due to reverence for the monarchy in new and emerging markets like China.
Remembering the past at the Magna Carta memorial at Runnymede.
Tim Ockenden /PA EDI
Only three of the original 63 clauses remain in force today, but the legacy of Magna Carta runs much deeper.
The Duke of Windsor inspecting SS soldiers in 1937.
Aktuelle-Bilder-Centrale, Georg Pahl (Bild 102)
Members of the British royal family were far closer to Nazi Germany during World War II than has previously been recognise, Russian and Spanish archives suggest.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha shows little sign of listening to growing public opposition to his military junta’s authoritarian rule.
EPA
A year ago, a military coup toppled Thailand’s elected government. The junta promised elections once a new constitution is adopted, but its authoritarian rule betrays a hostility to real democracy.
Forward in defence of the Patagonian toothfish!
EPA/Fayez Nureldine
The Prince has views on defence procurement, badger culling and the Patagonian toothfish. Should we care?