The Regency Acts are Acts of the British Parliament passed at various points in time, to provide a regent if the British monarch were to be incapacited or in minority (under the age of 18). Prior to 1937, Regency Acts were passed only in necessity. In 1937, a specific Regency Act provided the scope for a regent in law, and also established the post of Counsellor of State, who would act on the monarch's behalf when temporarily absent from the realm. In Westminster System parliaments, an Act of Parliament is a part of the law passed by the Parliament. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ... // High public office A regent, from the Latin regens who reigns is anyone who acts as head of state, especially if not the monarch (who has higher titles). ... The British monarch or Sovereign is the monarch and head of state of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, and is the source of all executive, judicial and (as the Queen-in-Parliament) legislative power. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... In the United Kingdom, Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family to whom the Monarch, presently Queen Elizabeth II, delegates certain state functions and powers when she is abroad or unavailable for other reasons (such as short-term incapacity or sickness). ... A Realm is a primary synonym for a world usually other than our own. ...

An example of a regency act to be enacted was the Regency Act of 1811 which allowed, Prince George, Prince of Wales to act as regent whilst his father, King George III was incapacited. George ruled as the Prince Regent until his father's death, and he ascended the throne as King George IV. Joyce Rollins is a lesbian. ... George IV (George Augustus Frederick) (12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Hanover from 29 January 1820 until his death. ... George III (George William Frederick) (4 June 1738 – 29 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until 1 January 1801, and thereafter King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death. ... Prince Regent (or Prince Regnant, as a direct borrowing from French language) is a prince who rules a country instead of a sovereign, e. ...

History

Prior to 1937, there was no provision in British law for the provision of a regent to be appointed in the event of the current British monarch being incapacitated or absent from the country. Neither was there the provision for a regent to rule on behalf of the heir to the throne succeeding the throne as a minor. As Parliament did not gain the power to determine the Order of succession to the British throne until the Glorious Revolution, it was up to the sovereign to decide who would be regent in any event. 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... // High public office A regent, from the Latin regens who reigns is anyone who acts as head of state, especially if not the monarch (who has higher titles). ... Contrasting with heir presumptive, an heir apparent is one who cannot be prevented from inheriting by the birth of any other person. ... The line of succession to the British Throne (and, by extension, the thrones of the fifteen other commonwealth realms) is determined by male primogeniture, whereby the eldest son of the incumbent inherits the throne. ... The term Glorious Revolution refers to the Whig-popular overthrow of James II of England in 1688 by a conspiracy between some Parliamentarians and the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau. ...

The passing of the Bill of Rights 1689, by the English Parliament confirmed in law that parliament, not the sovereign, decided the order of succession. The Act of Settlement 1701 saw the English parliament pass the line of succession to Electress Sophia of Hanover, confirmed by the Act of Union 1707 for Great Britain. With its new power over the sovereign finally confirming the notion of Parliamentary supremacy in British law, it was now possible for the parliament to pass Regency Acts to determine who would act as regent under the absence, incapacity or minority of the ruling sovereign. Subsequently several Regency Acts have been passed. The Bill of Rights 1689 is an English Act of Parliament with the full title An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown and also known by its short title, the Bill of Rights. ... This is a listing of sessions of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, tabulated with the elections to the House of Commons for each session, and the list of members of the House. ... The Electress Sophia The Act of Settlement (12 & 13 Wm 3 c. ... Electress Sophia of Hanover (born Sophia, Pfalzgräfin von Simmern, at The Hague on October 14, 1630; died at Herrenhausen on June 8, 1714) was the youngest daughter of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, of the House of Wittelsbach, also known as King Frederick V of Bohemia, and Elizabeth Stuart, also... The Acts of Union were twin Acts of Parliament passed in 1707 (taking effect on 26 March) by the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland. ...

Regency Act 1728

The first Regency Act (Regency During the King's Absence Act 1728 c. 27) passed by the British Parliament was in 1728. The Act specified that Queen Caroline would act as regent in the absence of her husband King George II. The Act was necessary because George II was also Elector of Hanover and was returning to his homeland for a visit. Margravine Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (or Anspach) (Wilhelmina Charlotte Caroline) (1 March 1683 – 20 November 1737) as Queen Caroline was the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain 1727-1737. ... George II (George Augustus) (10 November 1683–25 October 1760) was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) and Archtreasurer and Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death. ... -1...

Minority of successor to crown Act 1751

In 1751, Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King George II and heir apparent died. This left his eldest son, Prince George of Wales the heir apparent. However George was only 12 at the time of his father's death. In the event of the King dying before George reached 18, the throne would be passing to a minor. Events Adam Smith is appointed professor of logic at the University of Glasgow March 25 - For the last time, New Years Day is legally on March 25 in England and Wales. ... Frederick, Prince of Wales, by Jacopo Amigoni, 1735 His Royal Highness The Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales (Frederick Louis) (February 1, 1707 - March 31, 1751) was the only man of that name ever to hold the title Prince of Wales, and is best remembered as the father of King George... Contrasting with heir presumptive, an heir apparent is one who cannot be prevented from inheriting by the birth of any other person. ... George III (George William Frederick) (4 June 1738 – 29 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until 1 January 1801, and thereafter King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death. ...

Consequently, Parliament made a provision for a regent by passing the Minority of successor to crown Act 1751 (24 Geo 2 c 24) ¹. This Act provided that George's mother, Princess Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales would act as regent. The act also specified that a Council of Regency be put in place to rule alongside Princess Augusta. The Council of Regency was in place to act as a brake on the regent's power, as some acts of the royal prerogative, such as the signing of war or peace treaties, would require a majority vote of the council. Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (November 30, 1719-February 8, 1772) was Princess of Wales from May 8, 1736 to March 31, 1751. ...

Minority of Heir to the Crown Act 1765

In 1760, King George III ascended the throne, with his brother the Duke of York as heir presumptive. However, the new King soon married and had several children. By 1765, the King had three infant children in the order of succession. Parliament again passed a Regency Act to provide for a regent in the event of the King's death. 1760 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... George III (George William Frederick) (4 June 1738 – 29 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until 1 January 1801, and thereafter King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death. ...

The Minority of Heir to the Crown Act 1765 (5 Geo 3 c 27) ² provided that either the King's wife Queen Charlotte or his mother, Princess Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales would act as regent. This act also required the formation of a Council of Regency. Duchess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Sophia Charlotte) (19 May 1744 - 17 November 1818) as Queen Charlotte was the queen consort of King George III. Coronation portrait of Queen Charlotte by Allan Ramsay, National Portrait Gallery // Birth, youth, and marriage Charlotte was the youngest daughter of Charles Louis Frederick, Prince of... Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (November 30, 1719-February 8, 1772) was Princess of Wales from May 8, 1736 to March 31, 1751. ...

Regency Bill 1789

The Regency Bill of 1789 was a proposed Act of Parliament to provide that King George III's eldest son Prince George, Prince of Wales would act as regent due to the King's incapacity through mental illness. With no legislation already in place, there was no legal basis for providing a regent, and the King was in no fit state to give Royal Assent to the act. Parliament decided to have the Lord Chancellor approve the bill by fixing the Great Seal of the Realm to give Royal Assent. However, the King recovered in time before the bill could be passed. In Westminster System parliaments, an Act of Parliament is a part of the law passed by the Parliament. ... George IV (George Augustus Frederick) (12 August 1762 – 26 June 1830) was king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Hanover from 29 January 1820 until his death. ... The granting of Royal Assent is the formal method by which the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, or the Sovereigns representative in Commonwealth Realms, completes the process of the enactment of legislation by formally assenting to an Act of Parliament. ... The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor and in former times the Chancellor of England and the Lord Chancellor of Scotland, is one of the most senior and important functionaries in the government of the United Kingdom, and its predecessor states. ... The Great Seal of the Realm is a British institution by which the monarch can authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. ...

The King's continuing mental problems throughout the rest of his life confirmed the need for a suitable Regency Act to be in place. However, the King was hostile to the passing of such an act while he was of sound mind.

Care of King During his Illness, etc. Act 1811

In late 1810, King George III was once again overcome by mental illness, following the death of his youngest daughter, Princess Amelia. Parliament agreed to follow the precedent of 1788; without the King's consent, the Lord Chancellor affixed the Great Seal of the Realm to letters patent naming Lords Commissioners. The Lords Commissioners, in the name of the King, signified the granting of the Royal Assent to a bill which became the Care of King During his Illness, etc. Act 1811 (citation 51 Geo 3 c 1) . Parliament restricted some of the powers of the Prince Regent (as the Prince of Wales became known). The constraints expired one year after the passage of the Act. HRH Princess Amelia of Great Britain (7 August 1783 - November 2, 1810), was the youngest and favorite daughter of George III of the United Kingdom. ...

The importance of this Regency Act was that it did not require a Council of Regency, as required by previous legislation. One reason for this was that the Prince Regent was heir to the throne in any case, and would assume full powers upon his father's death.

Regency Act 1831

By 1831, the throne had passed to George III's third eldest son, William IV. However William IV had no legitimate children, and given the age of his wife, Queen Adelaide, would unlikely to have any in the future. The heiress presumptive to the throne was his niece, Princess Victoria of Kent, who was only twelve. William IV (William Henry) (21 August 1765 – 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death. ... Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May, 1819 – 22 January, 1901) was the eminent Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June, 1837, and Empress of India from 1 January, 1877, until her death in 1901. ...

As Victoria's father was dead, and Parliament mistrusted the younger sons of George III, the Act placed any potential regency caused by the King's death before Victoria had reached 18, in her mother, The Duchess of Kent. Viktoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Duchess of Kent Marie Luise Viktoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (August 17, 1786-March 16, 1861) was the daughter of Duke Francis Frederick of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield (1750-1806) and Countess Auguste Reuss zu Ebersdorf und Lobenstein (1757-1831). ...

Lord Justices Act 1837

In 1837, Princess Victoria of Kent succeeded her uncle to become Queen Victoria. She became monarch aged 18, and as still unmarried and without children, had no heir. The next in line of succession, was her uncle, King Ernst August of Hanover, who succeeded King William IV in Hanover as Salic Law prevented Victoria becoming Queen of Hanover. Thus Ernst August departed England to take up his role in Hanover. This meant that until the Queen married and had legitimate children, the heir to the throne and his children would reside abroad. Although they would almost certainly return to the UK in the event of Victoria dying without a heir, it would take some weeks for this to happen in 19th century transport. | Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria) (24 May, 1819 – 22 January, 1901) was the eminent Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June, 1837, and Empress of India from 1 January, 1877, until her death in 1901. ... Ernst August, Prince of Hanover (German: Prinz von Hannover, in English also known as Ernest Augustus of Hanover), styled His Royal Highness The Prince of Hanover; born 26 February 1954 in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany) is the eldest son of Ernest Augustus IV, Prince of Hanover (1914–1987) and his... Hanover (German: Hannover []), on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), Germany. ... This article contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location (dark green) within the United Kingdom (light green), with the Republic of Ireland (blue) to its west Languages None official English de facto Capital None official London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked... Hanover (German: Hannover []), on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), Germany. ...

To provide for the continuation of government in such an instance, Parliament passed the Lord Justices Act 1837. This Act did not provide for a specific regent to be appointed, as it would be expected for the new monarch to arrive in the country within a reasonable time. Thus the Act provided for only Lord Justices, made up of such people as the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chief Justice to take up some of the monarch's duties. Unlike the powers granted to prospective regents in previous legislation, the powers of the Lords Justice were more limited, and they could not dissolve Parliament or create peerages for example. Arms of the see of Canterbury The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior clergyman of the established Church of England and symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. ... The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales is the second-highest judge of the Courts of England and Wales, after the Lord Chancellor, and the presiding judge of Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal, and of the Queens Bench Division of the High Court. ...

Regency Act 1840

By 1840, Queen Victoria had married her cousin, HSH Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and had one child, Princess Victoria, Princess Royal. It was expected that the Queen would have many other children, however they would be in minority for at least the next 18 years, and Parliament again would have to provide for a regent in the event of Victoria's death. The previous Lord Justices Act 1837 would not apply to the Queen's children, as they resided in the UK. Parliament therefore passed the Regency Act 1840 which provided for the Queen's consort, Prince Albert to rule as regent until the eldest child reached the age of 18. The Act did not require a Regency Council to operate alongside Prince Albert, potentially giving him more power than other proposed regents. The Act was fairly controversial at the time, as the people of the UK were suspicious of Prince Albert, and he was generally unpopular in Parliament. 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Francis Charles Augustus Albert Emmanuel, of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha branch of the House of Wettin) (26 August 1819 - 14 December 1861) was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. ... Princess Victoria Adelaide Mary Louise (21 November 1840 – 5 August 1901) was the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria and her consort Albert. ...

Regency Act 1910

By 1910, Queen Victoria's grandson, King George V was monarch. However his children were all under the age of 18. Therefore Parliament passed a new Regency Act in 1910, that named the King's consort, Queen Mary as regent. No regency council was provided for, the same as the previous Regency Act of 1840.-1... George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert) (3 June 1865–20 January 1936) was the last British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, changing the name to the House of Windsor in 1917. ... Mary of Teck Mary of Teck (26 May 1867 – 24 March 1953), later Queen Mary, was the Queen Consort of George V of the United Kingdom. ...

Regency Act 1937

By 1937, King George V's son, King George VI was monarch, and his eldest daughter The Princess Elizabeth was the heiress presumptive. However Princess Elizabeth was under the age of 18, and thus could not succeed the throne in her own right, leading for the need for a new Regency Act. 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor) (14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was the third British monarch of the House of Windsor, reigning from 11 December 1936 until his death. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born on 21 April 1926, is Queen of sixteen independent nations known as the Commonwealth Realms. ...

However, rather than pass a specific Regency Act relating to the succession of George VI only, Parliament passed the Regency Act 1937, which provided for the events by which a Regent would rule in the event of the monarch's incapacity or minority to be applied for all future monarchs. It also repealed the Lord Justices Act 1837, and provided a new office, Counsellor of State to be appointed during the monarch's absence abroad, or temporary illness. In the United Kingdom, Counsellors of State are senior members of the British royal family to whom the Monarch, presently Queen Elizabeth II, delegates certain state functions and powers when she is abroad or unavailable for other reasons (such as short-term incapacity or sickness). ...

The Act required that the regent should:

• Be the next person in the line of succession over the age of 21
• Be a British subject domiciled in the United Kingdom
• Be capable of succeeding the crown under the terms of the Act of Settlement 1701.

Counsellors of State were to be: The Electress Sophia The Act of Settlement (12 & 13 Wm 3 c. ...

• The consort of the monarch
• And also the next four people in the line of succession over the age of 21.

Thus at the time of the Act, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester would have been appointed regent in the event of The Princess Elizabeth succeeding the throne on the death of her father. The current prospective regent under the Act would be Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Henry William Frederick Albert), (31 March 1900 – 10 June 1974) was a member of the British Royal Family, the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ... For other people known as Charles, Prince of Wales, see Charles, Prince of Wales (disambiguation) His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales KG, KT,GCB, OM,AK,QSO, PC, ADC, M.A., B.A. (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Prince Charles, Duke...

Regency Act 1943

This Act modified the Regency Act 1937. It made it so that Counsellors of State absent during the Sovereign's absence would not be listed among the appointments. It also declared that the heir-apparent or presumptive to the Throne (number 1 in the line of succession) had only to be 18 to be a Counsellor.

Regency Act 1953

In 1952, King George VI died and his daughter, The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh succeeded the throne as Queen Elizabeth II. With her eldest son and heir apparent, Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall under the age of 18, the Regency Act 1937 would provide for the next person over the age of 21 in the line of succession, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester to act as regent. However, despite the fact that a regency was already provided for, Parliament made a new law saying that The Duke of Edinburgh, if living, would act as regent in case of an underage succession to the Crown. If a long-term regency was necessary during the current Queen's reign, the Duke of Edinburgh would act as regent only if the Queen had no eligible children or grandchildren. 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born on 21 April 1926, is Queen of sixteen independent nations known as the Commonwealth Realms. ... For other people known as Charles, Prince of Wales, see Charles, Prince of Wales (disambiguation) His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales KG, KT,GCB, OM,AK,QSO, PC, ADC, M.A., B.A. (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Prince Charles, Duke... The Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (Henry William Frederick Albert), (31 March 1900 – 10 June 1974) was a member of the British Royal Family, the third son of King George V of the United Kingdom and Queen Mary. ... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Philip Mountbatten), styled HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (born June 10, 1921), is the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. ...

The new Act also removed the anomaly that a person aged 18 could become monarch in their own right, but could not act as a regent.

The Act also allowed, the Queen's mother, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother to become a Counsellor of State. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon as Queen Elizabeth. ...

Current position

Currently, under the provisions of the Regency Act 1937, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales would act as regent in the event of the incapacity of The Queen. The next three individuals in the line of succession would be eligible to succeed or be regents in their own right. The first person under the age of 18 is Princess Beatrice of York. If she were to succeed the throne whilst still under the age of 18, her uncle, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex would be regent under the 1937 Act. Of course, Parliament ultimately decides the regent, and may choose to pass a new regency act in this case to make Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh or Princess Anne, Princess Royal regent in place of Edward. For other people known as Charles, Prince of Wales, see Charles, Prince of Wales (disambiguation) His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales KG, KT,GCB, OM,AK,QSO, PC, ADC, M.A., B.A. (Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Windsor), styled HRH The Prince Charles, Duke... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born on 21 April 1926, is Queen of sixteen independent nations known as the Commonwealth Realms. ... Princess Beatrice of York (Beatrice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor) (born August 8, 1988) is a member of the British Royal Family. ... The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, (Edward Antony Richard Louis Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Earl of Wessex (born March 10, 1964), is a member of the British Royal Family, the youngest child and third son of Queen Elizabeth II. He has held the title of Earl of Wessex since... The Duke of Edinburgh The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark) (born 10 June 1921) is the husband of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. ... HRH The Princess Royal Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne, Princess Royal (Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise Laurence, formerly Mountbatten-Windsor), styled HRH The Princess Royal (born August 15, 1950), is a member of the British Royal Family. ...

External links

• Heraldica.org website on Regency
  • Note 1: Text of Minority of successor to crown Act 1751
  • Note 2: Text of Minority of heir to the crown Act 1765