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# How constitutional are our monarchs?
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/how-constitutional-are-our-monarchs/
- Published: 2007-06-08T13:06:24.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:36:21.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:23

**Iain McLean (Oxford,** [**Nuffield College**](http://www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/Politics/mclean.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net)**):** Peter Oborne [claims ](http://ourkingdom.opendemocracy.net/2007/06/05/an-un-british-tragedy/?ref=opendemocracy.net)that the monarchy is one of the defining institutions of Britishness. Perhaps. But what is its record as a supporter of constitutional process? Here is my table on the wonderfulness and constitutionality of the monarchy.

*George I*: OK, but didn't speak English

*George II:* ditto

*George III*: Vetoed Roman Catholic Emancipation in 1801, therefore made conciliation in Ireland impossible

*George IV*: Provoked crisis at his coronation by keeping his wife out

*William IV:* 'One of the least wise of your predecessors' - Asquith to George V. Dismissed Melbourne in 1834 and was forced to take him back in 1835

*Victoria:* Tried to block Gladstone in 1885, 1886, and 1892

*Edward VII*: Committed us to World War I without consulting his government

*George V:* Conspired with unionists and Ulster protestants in 1914 coup d'etat

*Edward VIII*: Fascist sympathiser

*George VI*: OK

*Elizabeth II*: OK

That makes 4/12 good constitutional monarchs if you include those who could not speak English or 2/10 if you leave them out and start with George III.