On 6 February 2022, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Events and initiatives will take place throughout the year to celebrate this milestone, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend in early June.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: A Brief Parliamentary History of Her Reign (221 KB , PDF)
The monarchy holds a prominent place in British political life. As noted in Erskine May, Parliament can be regarded as the sovereign, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Collectively they form the legislature, and as distinct parts of the constitution they exercise functions and enjoy privileges peculiar to each.
Originally published in 2016 as part of a briefing examining the role of the sovereign as part of the constitution of Parliament, the following presents a brief updated overview of the Queen’s participation in key parliamentary events since she ascended to the throne.
This briefing was updated on 15 September 2023 to amend broken links.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: A Brief Parliamentary History of Her Reign (221 KB , PDF)
The motion “that this bill do now pass” is moved immediately after a bill’s final stage in the House of Lords (known as third reading). It is amendable and so provides an opportunity for the House to oppose, delay or record a view on a measure if there is enough support. This briefing provides examples of amendments to the motion and what the outcome was each time.
This page provides interactive data on the creation of life peerages in the House of Lords.
In January 2025 the House of Lords Constitution Committee published a report on the responsibility of the government (the executive) to oversee the constitution. It concluded that the UK’s constitutional arrangements would benefit from several improved safeguards, such as the appointment of a senior minister to advise on constitutional matters and for advisory bodies to be put on a statutory footing.
