Can Queen be 'impeached'? Call for monarch's removal after Meghan and Harry's 'racism' claim in Oprah interview
UPDATE: Tim Pool's tweet was meant to be a joke, but Twitter users all over took it seriously
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey stirred controversy even before its release. However, after it aired both in the US and the UK, the claims made by the pair, including racism, mental health, and suicidal thoughts left everyone dumbstruck. Millions of people around the world waited to see the response of the royal family, which eventually came after 36 hours since the explosive sit-down aired. The Palace released a statement, but it was just 61 words long.
The statement issued on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II read, “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members. ENDS.”
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Several people criticized the monarchy for its “ignorant'' response which failed to address the actual issues raised by the Sussexes. American journalist Timothy Daniel Pool, better known as Tim Pool on social media, even went on to call for the "impeachment" of the Queen. He jokingly tweeted, “Impeach Queen Elizabeth.” Many users played along with the 35-year-old, who is also a YouTuber and political commentator, as one user wrote, “Let’s call Congress into session because we’re the world police, right?” Another user commented, “Then let's make it happen.” “Before or after her next election?” asked the third user.
Let’s call Congress into session because we’re the world police, right?
— kyle 🌎☄️💕® ➐ (@CallMeNutwork) March 9, 2021
However, there were a number of people who made fun of Pool’s demand as a person tweeted, “We love ya Tim but don’t mess with our queenie.” The second person said, “Wait. If she gets impeached. Won't that mean.... no no no no.” Another one added: “That would require Brits to have a revolution & despite everything they're middle class, well fed & have free medicare & a state pension, so that revolution is a way off still (barring global catastrophes).”
Wait. If she gets impeached. Won't that mean.... no no no no pic.twitter.com/RdWBMgSxLB
— Some Gay Boy's Tweets 🏳🌈🇭🇲🇮🇹🇪🇬☭⃠ (@CQDThisIsCOVM62) March 9, 2021
That would require Brits to have a revolution & despite everything they're middle class, well fed & have free medicare & a state pension, so that revolution is a way off still (barring global catastrophes).
— Earl Bramley-Howard (@deepgreendude) March 9, 2021
Is it possible to impeach Queen Elizabeth II?
Queen Elizabeth II has been ruling since the age of 27. She was crowned on 2 June 1953 in Westminster Abbey after the death of her father, King George VI. As a queen, she has some powers that no head of the state has, such as she does not need a passport to travel around the globe. “When travelling overseas, The Queen does not require a British passport. As a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one. All other members of the Royal Family, including The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales, have passports,” the royal family’s website states. Also, she can drive any vehicle in the UK without a driving license.
With so many privileges, it is normal for others to think about what she can do to be impeached. Well nothing, because “The Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms cannot be impeached because there is no impeachment mechanism in place,” Chris Hawkes, a user on the Q&A forum Quora, said as reported by Latin Times. Not just impeachment, the monarch cannot be sued in the UK. “The monarch of the UK is above the law because the law is enacted in the name of the monarch,” Hawkes added.
As per the official website of the royal family, “In the earliest times the Sovereign was a key figure in the enforcement of law and the establishment of legal systems in different areas of the UK. As such the Sovereign became known as the 'Fount of Justice'. While no longer administering justice in a practical way, the Sovereign today still retains an important symbolic role as the figure in whose name justice is carried out, and law and order is maintained. Although civil and criminal proceedings cannot be taken against the Sovereign as a person under UK law, The Queen is careful to ensure that all her activities in her personal capacity are carried out in strict accordance with the law.”
Another user on Quora, Ian Jackson, explained, “So you can sue her majesty government but you cannot sue her. This means that the Queen can murder someone and not be charged.” However, there is a way to remove The Queen from office theoretically. “The removal of a monarch from the British Throne would be done by and [sic] Act of Parliament, an Act that would require Royal Assent to become law. Of course, they could first pass an Act that would abolish Royal Assent,” a Quora user identified only as Marsh said.