The evolution of constitutional monarchies in Europe: between tradition and democracy

From the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the British royal family found themselves in a polarized atmosphere during the official birthday celebration of Charles III. While supporters of the crown cheered, a group of anti-monarchy activists, waving yellow flags with the message "Not my king," made their discontent with the monarchy heard. The "Trooping the Colour" parade, a tradition dating back to 1748 to celebrate the sovereigns' birthdays, was interrupted by the protesters' demands. Graham Smith, director of the Republic group, denounced the monarchy as undemocratic and criticized the expenses on the royal family's lifestyle as unjustified. Despite these criticisms and protests, it is important to understand the role of constitutional monarchies today and the function that kings play in these systems. With 44 countries still ruled by a monarchy, many of them in Europe, the distribution of powers varies significantly. Constitutional monarchies, like that of the United Kingdom, are characterized by the separation of powers, where the monarch holds the Executive Power while the Legislative Power rests with a parliament elected by the citizens. Although the monarch no longer has a significant political or executive role, they continue to perform constitutional and representational functions that have evolved over centuries of history. The history of monarchies in Europe reflects a gradual process of reducing the powers of monarchs. Absolute monarchies have given way to constitutional monarchies, where kings no longer have absolute power. In countries like Liechtenstein, the prince still retains certain prerogatives, but the population has mechanisms to limit their authority through referendums. In contrast, in countries like Monaco, monarchs have fewer powers and their influence in decision-making is more limited. Jordan, Morocco, and Malaysia are examples of constitutional monarchies where kings maintain greater control over the government and society. While most monarchs ascend to the throne through inheritance, there are cases of elective monarchies, like in Malaysia, where a council of sultans chooses the ruler every five years. In the Vatican, the pope is the sovereign elected by a conclave of cardinals, showing a unique combination of monarchy and religious leadership. In summary, constitutional monarchies have evolved to adapt to the demands of modern society, balancing tradition and democratic representation. Despite facing criticisms and challenges, kings continue to play an important symbolic and ceremonial role in national identity and the stability of their nations.