Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈 @JasonLoch Twitter profile

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

Although Rishi Sunak is a Hindu, he will still be able to advise the King on ecclesiastical appointments. Only Jews and Roman Catholics are barred from doing so by statute. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

However, he couldn't completely disentangle himself from the C of E. For example, he would still be an ex-officio Church Commissioner under the Church Commissioners Measure 1947. 3/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

In theory, another minister could take over this responsibility if Sunak felt that advising His Majesty on ecclesiastical matters would violate the spirit if not the letter of the law. 2/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

@MariaMalou @SuziMc10 Given that the PM's role in ecclesiastical appointments has become increasingly formal, it's certainly arguable that the ban on Roman Catholics and Jews advising the Crown no longer serves any real purpose.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

When the late Queen was crowned in 1953, the then-Prince Charles received a formal invitation from the Earl Marshal. Instead of the standard decorations, it had whimsical art appropriate for a child.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 years

The BBC is calling Baroness Amos the first black member of the Order of the Garter, but Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia was appointed in 1954.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

While many Commonwealth Realms now have their Governors General sign their ambassadors' letters of credence and recall, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines still has the Sovereign sign them. 1/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

@PaulLomax That was a mess. Supposedly, some other minister was given responsibility for ecclesiastical appointments, but the situation remained decidedly murky!

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 month

In 1988, the Royal Mint accidentally issued a £1 silver coin without the necessary Royal Proclamation under the Coinage Act 1971. HM Treasury was not amused. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

In February 1984, the Cabinet Secretary met with the Lord Chief Justice to discuss potential successors should Lord Hailsham of St. Marylebone step down as Lord Chancellor. He summarized the LCJ's views in this memo for the PM's Principal Private Secretary. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

4 years

It's also worth remembering that any attempt to remove the Duke of Sussex from the line of succession would in practice require the unanimous agreement of the Commonwealth Realms. Legislation passed by the UK Parliament wouldn't automatically carry over into Canada, NZ, etc.

UCL Political Science - School of Public Policy

@uclspp

4 years

"The Queen has no power to change the line of succession. Only Parliament can do that, as it did in the 2013 Act." Prof. Robert Hazell @ConUnit_UCL 's comments appear in this @Yahoo piece on all things the Royal's and the changes to Harry's role:

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

Until 1886, the House of Lords used to designate a number of peers as receivers and triers of petitions at the start of every Parliament. The relevant Journal entry was written in Norman French and continued to mention Gascony long after the end of English rule in France. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

The fact that the Earl Marshal of all people would say something like this is really quite extraordinary. I've noticed that Whitehall seems to have an increasingly fuzzy understanding of the Crown's place in the constitution, but this suggests it's a wider issue.

David Torrance

@davidtorrance

2 years

Here’s the Earl Marshal explaining that the King ascended to the Throne *after* the Accession Council agreed he was the rightful heir, and that his coronation will mark the formal beginning of his reign. Neither is correct.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

The King is the nominal claimant in judicial review proceedings. This is because prerogative orders, like the prerogative writs before them, are technically only obtainable at the suit of the Crown. The Crown's role is purely formal now, but it can produce some ironic results.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

On the day of her death, the late Queen signed six Letters Patent for signifying Royal Assent to Bills of the Senedd, including the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill. These were likely among her last acts as sovereign.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

While the Homage of the People is new to British coronations, something similar happened in Scotland. At the Scottish coronations of Charles I and Charles II, the people were asked to take an oath of loyalty to the King after the nobles did their homage. 1/2

Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

They've also added the 'Homage of the People' to the ceremony wherein individuals will be invited to make their homage to the King using words reminiscent of the Oath of Allegiance. 2/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

In 1821, George IV introduced new rules for levees after two people managed to bluff their way into knighthood. An account of one such incident can be found in Court Etiquette by "A Man of the World."

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

Downing Street has announced that Sir Edward Young will receive the customary life peerage upon stepping down as the King's Private Secretary. He is also being made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in accordance with tradition. 1/4

Announcement of peerage

HM The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention of conferring the following Peerage of the United Kingdom for Life.

www.gov.uk

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

On the eve of independence from Australia, Papua New Guinea invited Elizabeth II to become their Queen and Head of State. Because PNG was not yet independent, she accepted the Throne on the advice of the Australian government, though this fact wasn't publicized at the time. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

Submission from Margaret Thatcher regarding the Marquess of Cholmondeley's appointment as Lord Great Chamberlain. PREM 5/590.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

Formerly, the blessing of the Sovereign's Ring included an exorcism complete with a reference to Egyptian magicians. The exorcism part was removed for Charles I's coronation and never returned. This comes from Leopold G. Wickham Legg's English Coronation Records.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

While the #Coronation is steeped in tradition, many elements of the ceremony have been discarded over the years. One of the strangest was the attendance of a pair of fake French dukes, and I recently wrote a piece about this curious practice.

Why Did Fake French Dukes Attend British Coronations?

While reading Leopold G. Wickham Legg’s account of the Coronation Banquet in his English Coronation Records, I was struck by the following passage: On the King’s left hand there are also three tabl…

venerablepuzzle.wordpress.com

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

This can lead to some unusual results, like the Queen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Queen of the United Kingdom recognizing different individuals as President of Venezuela. 5/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

@MeldrewsGhost When the relevant laws were passed in the 19th century, Downing Street still exercised actual discretion when advising the Crown on ecclesiastical appointments. At the time, the prospect of any other non-Anglican becoming PM probably seemed unimaginable.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 months

Submission from Margaret Thatcher to Queen Elizabeth II regarding junior ministerial appointments. Because the Queen was on a state visit to Portugal, it was approved by the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales acting as Counsellors of State (PREM 5/606/1).

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

4 years

I don't know which American journalists need to hear this (all of them, probably) but the Governor General of Canada represents the Queen of Canada, not the Queen of the United Kingdom.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

Being monarch in early modern Britain meant dealing with a surprising number of administrative minutiae. Here, Mary II authorized the Attorney General to enter a cesset processus (i.e., a stay of proceedings) in a case involving obstruction of a marketplace in Diss. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

4 months

Even sovereigns can sometimes be fuzzy on the details of the British constitution. Queen Victoria claimed that she was Head of the Church of Scotland in a letter to Disraeli, but he tactfully corrected her. These are from The Letters of Queen Victoria, 2nd series, vol. 2.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

6 months

On December 11, 1766, George III informed the Duke of Grafton that he would be unable to give Royal Assent in person the following day due to a severe cold. He instructed Lord Grafton to have the Lord Chancellor prepare a Commission accordingly. 1/4

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

Technically, Boris Johnson can't resign from the House of Commons. Instead, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will give him a nominal office of profit under the Crown. Here's the instrument appointing David Cameron "Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead" in 2016. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

The Sovereign's right to encourage or warn their ministers is often exercised through their Private Secretary. Here, Alec Hardinge conveys George VI's thoughts on the Brussels Conference (also known as the Nine-Power Treaty Conference) to Anthony Eden (FO 954/6B/388).

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

The BBC is still saying that Baroness Amos is the first black member of the Order of the Garter, but she's not.

Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 years

The BBC is calling Baroness Amos the first black member of the Order of the Garter, but Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia was appointed in 1954.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

Submission from James Callaghan to Elizabeth II recommending that her Private Secretary, Sir Martin Charteris, be appointed Provost of Eton. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

The appointment of the First Minister of Scotland is effected by a Commission (but see tweet #3 ) under the Scottish Seal. First, the Sovereign signs a warrant authorizing the use of the Seal (notably, it's not countersigned by anyone). Then, the final document is sealed. 1/6

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

6 months

The First Minister's communications with the Monarch are often formatted like normal business letters. This is true even for formal submissions. The only distinctive bit is the reference to the FM's 'humble duty' at the start of the letter. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 months

A memo from Margaret Thatcher's Principal Private Secretary regarding the logistics of a reshuffle. This is from PREM 5/606/1.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

The divisibility of the Crown is one of the hallmarks of the modern Commonwealth. This means the Monarch only acts on the advice of local ministers when performing their duties as a Realm's head of state. 4/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

The folks at the CBBC might want to take a refresher course on protocol.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 months

If Labour won the 1992 General Election, Neil Kinnock would have received this briefing on the election of the Speaker of the Commons. Interestingly, he would have made *two* submissions to the Queen, and both would've been sent to the Palace before the election took place. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

5 months

Two submissions from Kenneth Clarke to Queen Elizabeth II regarding designs for new coins. Note that he styled himself 'Master of the Mint' rather than 'Chancellor of the Exchequer.' These submissions are also more detailed than many I've seen. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

28 days

In 1956, the Cabinet considered two draft bills relating to Lords reform. The first was a short bill allowing the Crown to create life peerages with seats in the Lords, but the second (shown here) would've made far more extensive changes to the Upper House. 1/10

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

While browsing The London Gazette, I found this notice of Queen Anne's death. I was struck by the fact that it mentions that she had "Convulsion Fits" and lost the ability to speak. That level of frankness is in marked contrast to the way royal deaths are announced nowadays.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

7 months

In 1864, Queen Victoria asked Viscount Palmerston to provide her with multiple candidates for a church appointment rather than a single name. He wasn't happy, and while he complied with her wishes, he made it clear he thought the request was constitutionally problematic. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

However, the late Queen signed these instruments as Queen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines rather than as Queen of the United Kingdom, so they are not indicative of UK Government policy. 3/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

It's worth noting that the late Queen's proclamation dated May 28, 1953 established an official Latin translation of the royal style and titles. The names of the UK and the Commonwealth are translated quite differently in the Nuncio's credentials.

Dr Francis Young

@DrFrancisYoung

1 year

Someone kindly sent me an image of the Nuncio's actual credentials, which are of course in Latin - and curiously (😉) omit Charles III's title of Defender of the Faith...

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

Now that Rishi Sunak is PM, one of his first tasks will be to fill out his administration. While the PM chooses ministers, they are formally appointed by the King. After obtaining the monarch's informal approval, Sunak will make a formal submission like this one. 1/8

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

After the King receives a grant of supply from Parliament, he signs a Royal Order authorizing the necessary expenditure. This particular Order followed the Supply and Appropriation (Adjustments) Act 2022. The typography of this instrument is...unique. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

4 months

Queen Victoria was not happy with the results of the 1880 General Election. She made it clear to her Private Secretary that she had no intention of asking William Gladstone to form a government. 1/6

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

I thought the Coronation was quite impressive. It might not have been an exact recreation of the late Queen's Coronation, but it was a majestic event nevertheless.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

9 months

The fact that Buckingham Palace has publicly confirmed that the King has cancer is noteworthy given that, when George VI had lung cancer, his doctors withheld the diagnosis from the Monarch, the Royal Family, and the public. However, this approach wasn't unusual at the time. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

4 years

I'm struck by the fact that the Duchess of Sussex apparently didn't do any research before marrying into the Royal Family. I wonder if things might have been a least a little bit easier if she'd gone into the marriage with more foreknowledge. 1/7

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

The Paymaster General is appointed by Warrant under the Royal Sign Manual. Here's an example from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Today, the office is a sinecure that's usually held alongside a more substantive position.

Cabinet Office

@cabinetofficeuk

4 months

Welcome to our new Paymaster General and Minister for the Constitution and European Relations @NickTorfaen .

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

A copy of the 1912 agreement between the Earl of Ancaster, the Marquess of Lincolnshire, and the Marquess of Cholmondeley regarding succession to the deputyship of the office of Lord Great Chamberlain (PREM 5/590).

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 months

One of the challenges of studying the British constitution is that many of its conventions aren't well documented. There are exceptions, however. This letter from Lord Stamfordham set out rules governing submissions made on behalf of Cabinet ministers who had left the UK. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

The office of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod is technically distinct from that of Serjeant at Arms of the House of Lords. The appointment traditionally involves two separate instruments. Letters Patent under the Great Seal appoint them as Serjeant at Arms. 1/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

I got a chuckle out of these remarks by Lord Peston during the 1999 debate over using archival paper instead of vellum for the record copies of Acts of Parliament. The irony is that CD-ROMs probably seem as antiquated as vellum to many people.😁 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

At George III's coronation, he asked Archbishop Secker if he should remove his crown before receiving Communion. Secker was unsure, so the King elected to take it off. Unfortunately, Queen Charlotte's crown was attached to her hair. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

When Anthony Eden resigned in 1957, the Queen wrote him this letter. It was published in Sir Robert Rhodes James' biography of Eden.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 years

The other day I stumbled upon this lovely painting by Sydney Prior Hall showing Edward VII investing Haakon VII of Norway with the insignia of the Order of the Garter in 1906. 1/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

4 years

While browsing through Tudor statutes, I found this provision in 1 Edward 6 c. 12 clarifying that it wasn't treason to refer to the King of France by that title. English (and later British) monarchs formally claimed the French throne until 1801.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 months

Although Counsellors of State approved the submission, another document in the file reveals that the Cabinet Secretary contacted the Queen in Portugal to obtain her informal approval for these appointments. It's a reminder that Counsellors of State have limited authority.

Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 months

Submission from Margaret Thatcher to Queen Elizabeth II regarding junior ministerial appointments. Because the Queen was on a state visit to Portugal, it was approved by the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales acting as Counsellors of State (PREM 5/606/1).

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

When the King declares someone Lord President of the Council, he says "I think it proper to declare the Right Honourable [Name] Lord President of the Council."

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

I saw that I crossed the 1,000 follower mark, so I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude. Whether you've been following me for five years or five days, I truly appreciate your support. Thank you!

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

I'm not particularly surprised by this. The mantle, crimson velvet surcoat, knee breeches and coronet worn by peers at Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation would've cost £1,250 at the time. That's around £39,000 in today's money. 1/5

The Burgon Society

@burgonsoc

2 years

No coronets or coronation robes (l), but parliamentary robes (r) for peers attending the Coronation in May 📸: Christie’s

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

This quote comes from a BBC article about the King's first year. While the late Duke of Edinburgh was a prince and a consort, he never held the formal title of 'Prince Consort.' That title has only been held by Prince Albert, and it was conferred by special Letters Patent. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

7 months

But the Queen was unmoved. She defended her right to exercise an element of discretion when making appointments "whether high or low...public or private". It shows how the rules of constitutional monarchy were still very much a work in progress in the 19th century. 2/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

The abovementioned entry was the last of its kind. It can be found in vol. 118 the Lords Journals. 2/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 months

Warrants appointing Christopher Luxon as Prime Minister of New Zealand and a member of the Executive Council.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

Here's a formal submission from Anthony Eden to George VI requesting permission to visit Belgium. While modern submissions of this type seem to be rather brief and to-the-point, Eden's was more elaborate and explained why the trip was necessary. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

These were released by the Venezuelan Government as part of their effort to access the country's gold reserves held in the Bank of England. They seem to be arguing that these documents prove that the UK recognizes Nicolás Maduro as President of Venezuela. 2/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

11 months

The reference to the King's location is an example of how chancery practice can differ between jurisdictions. While Warrants have long referenced the Court's location, the teste clauses of Letters Patent typically only mention Westminster since that is where they're sealed. 1/3

David Torrance

@davidtorrance

11 months

This recent Act of the Scottish Parliament received Royal Assent from the King while he was on his State Visit to Kenya…

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

Following the death of Queen Anne, Lords Justices of the Realm acted for King George I until his arrival in the United Kingdom. On August 21, 1714, no fewer than 13 of them attended the House of Lords to signify Royal Assent on the King's behalf.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

5 months

Some royal proclamations traditionally had additional formalities associated with their publication. For example, when George III declared war on Spain in 1762, he issued a warrant to the Officers of Arms ordering them to attend the proclamation. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

6 months

It's well known that the King doesn't sign bills directly when granting Royal Assent. But in the past, certain types of legislation *were* signed by the Monarch, such as bills for the reversal of attainders, for the restoration of honors/lands, and for restitution in blood. 1/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

Queen Victoria was an early fan of life peerages. This comes from vol. 3 of The Letters of Queen Victoria.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

Submission from Margaret Thatcher recommending that Queen Elizabeth II accept Sir Keith Joseph's resignation as Secretary of State for Education and Science (PREM 5/606/1).

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

Although their main responsibility is to act as whips in the House of Commons, Lords Commissioners of HM Treasury also countersign certain finance-related instruments such as Royal Orders for Supply Services. Unlike other ministers, they must countersign in pairs. 1/2

David Torrance

@davidtorrance

3 months

The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury were appointed by Letters Patent on 16 July:

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

In 1311, a committee of bishops and peers known as the Lords Ordainers forced Edward II to agree to a set of Ordinances limiting his power. Under their provisions, the King was not to wage war without the agreement of the baronage in Parliament. 1/7

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

10 months

For the past few months, I've been working on a post about the appointment of English bishops before the Reformation. It's turning out to be one of the most interesting rabbit holes I've ever fallen down. I've learned quite a lot in the process!

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

In 1990, the late Queen's Private Secretary informed Australia's viceregal officers that Her Majesty felt it might be time for the Australians to abandon imperial honors for good. This comes from "The Australian Honours System in the Beginning" by Sir David Smith.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

6 months

In contrast, communications from UK ministers have more stylistic peculiarities, though the reference to humble duty at the start is an element of commonality. But there are examples of Scottish submissions following these conventions, so their practice may not be homogenous. 2/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

HM Treasury has redacted the countersignatures of the Lords Commissioners on the grounds of data privacy, but I've asked them to give me an unredacted copy. Their overzealous approach is problematic since the countersignatures are a statutory requirement under the 1866 Act. 3/3

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

I've been trying to discover whether Cabinet ministers are still required to obtain the Sovereign's permission before leaving the country. FOI requests to the Cabinet Office haven't provided clarity, though I did get this 2007 letter regarding one of Gordon Brown's trips. 1/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

The arrival of women into the House of Lords in 1958 required a number of changes to the House's ceremonial. The bicorn hat was deemed unsuitable, so Garter created a new tricorn-like hat in black velour with a gold rosette. 1/5

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

The Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873 originally contained a provision allowing the Court of Appeal to assume the Privy Council's ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The Privy Council had exercised this jurisdiction since 1833, but many in the Church were unhappy with this. 1/9

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

Parliamentary practice isn't always perfectly observed. On March 30, 1563, the House of Commons gave a Bill a fourth reading. Sir Simonds d'Ewes noted the exceptional nature of the proceedings in his Journals of All the Parliaments During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

In modern times, a Secretary of State's appointment is formalized when the Sovereign hands them the Seals of Office. As Rodney Brazier explains, their actual use is limited (though it's now the Ministry of Justice which affixes the second seal to Warrants/Commissions). 1/2

Wes Streeting MP

@wesstreeting

3 months

It was an honour to be sworn in as a member of His Majesty’s Privy Council at Buckingham Palace this afternoon and to collect the seal of office for @DHSCgovuk .

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

Also, here's a memo from the Prime Minister's Appointments Secretary, Colin Peterson, regarding the appointment. Both are from PREM 5/586. 2/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

That portion of the Commission is simpler than it used to be. Here are examples from 1760 and 1820 taken from the Lords Journals. The reigning Monarch used to emphasize the fact that their predecessor's Parliament was now *their* Parliament.

Benjamin Lewis

@tc1415

1 year

That's a variation on the usual Patent - noting that this Parliament was originally summoned by Her late Majesty! Even I, the great nerd, didn't know that was the way it was done :-O

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 years

I've seen some confusion on Twitter about the Prime Minister's role in ecclesiastical appointments. For bishoprics, the PM still formally recommends a name to the Queen for nomination to the College of Canons. 1/9

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

11 months

Although the media has started referring to David Cameron as 'Lord Cameron,' his formal title will likely include a territorial designation, much like how Neil Cameron became 'Lord Cameron of Balhousie' or Ewen Cameron became 'Lord Cameron of Dillington.' 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

2 years

Grousing about the Coronation is a time-honored British tradition. J. Wickham Legg was very unhappy that the Archbishop of York crowned Queen Alexandra, and he warned that such callous disregard for precedent could see St. Paul's become the new venue for the Coronation. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

Reading a Bill in the Commons used to be a lot more involved. First, the Clerk would read the entire text of the Bill. Then, he'd kiss the Speaker's hand and deliver the Bill to him. The Speaker then summarized the Bill for MPs before returning it to the Clerk. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

4 months

Sigh.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 years

While browsing through The Times Digital Archive, I found this article about the formalities associated with the appointment of the first Blair administration. It goes into a level of detail one doesn't usually see nowadays. 1/2

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

5 months

Under The Crown Office (Forms and Proclamations Rules) Order 1992, proclamations can simply be published in the various Gazettes without further fanfare. However, the Lord President can direct that copies be sent to local officials to be "made known in the manner accustomed".

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

1 year

While the King was bareheaded, his male predecessors traditionally wore a Cap of Estate for the first portion of the Coronation service as shown by this depiction of George VI.

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

6 months

Traditionally, the Lords expected messages from the Commons to be brought up by no fewer than 8 MPs. On April 4, 1699, the Commons had a single MP bring a message, and peers ordered Black Rod to refuse entry to the Commons' messenger if he wasn't accompanied by colleagues. 1/11

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

11 months

Last month, the King signed Letters Patent signifying Royal Assent to the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill while on a visit to Kenya. This got me thinking about the role of Counsellors of State in the age of remote work.

Counsellors Of State In The Age Of Remote Work

There’s an interesting detail tucked away near the end of the Letters Patent signifying Royal Assent to the Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland Bill. The final clause reads “WITNESS Ourself at…

venerablepuzzle.wordpress.com

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Jason Loch 🏳️‍🌈

@JasonLoch

3 months

Submission from Harold Wilson regarding the Lord Great Chamberlain's control over the Palace of Westminster. While the Lords and Commons assumed control over most of the Palace, the LGC retained responsibility for certain areas including the Robing Room. PREM 5/590

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