Monarchy of Ibagli
 This article is a part of the Politics and Government of Ibagli series. |
| Executive |
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Monarch (King Charles III) |
| Legislative (Parliament) |
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House of Commons (Speaker) |
| Judicial |
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Supreme Court (Chief Justice) |
Ibagli is a constitutional monarchy and Commonwealth realm with King Charles III as its reigning monarch since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022.
In Ibagli, the King's title is Charles the Third, of Ibagli and of His Other Realms and Territories King, Head of the Commonwealth.
Constitutional Monarchy in Ibagli
One of the most complicated features of the Ibaglian Monarchy is that it is in fact a shared monarchy. Ibagli shares its monarch with 15 other sovereign states, all of which are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. A total of 54 nations are members of the Commonwealth, many of which are republics or have their own native monarchies.
King Charles III is generally regarded as "King of Ibagli" only when he is actually present in Ibagli or when he otherwise performs ceremonies relevant to Ibagli. Some examples are conferring Ibaglian honours while in the United Kingdom, participating in Ibaglian remembrance ceremonies in other nations, or giving his approval to certain appointments which can only be performed by him, such as the appointment of a Governor-General or the creation of an honour.
Most of the King of Ibagli's domestic duties are performed by the Governor-General of Ibagli. There are some duties which must be performed specifically by the King (e.g., signing the appointment papers of Governors-General), or require assent by the King as well as the Governor-General.
In addition to the King's role in each of his realms, the Ibaglian Monarch is also the nominal Head of the Commonwealth. Though this title does not imply any political power over member nations, and does not automatically belong to the monarch, only the shared Monarch of the Commonwealth Realms has ever held this title.
Although King Charles III is also monarch of the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth countries, each nation – including Ibagli – is sovereign and independent of the others. The identity of the sovereign is determined by the conditions set out in the Act of Settlement. As a result of the Balfour Declaration of 1926 the dominions acquired the right to be considered equal to Britain rather than subordinate; an agreement that had the result of a shared Crown that operates independently in each realm rather than a unitary British Crown under which all the dominions were subordinate. The Monarchy thus ceased to be an exclusively British institution. Under the Statute of Westminster, 1931, Ibagli has a common monarchy with Britain and the other Commonwealth Realms and cannot change the rules of succession without the unanimous consent of the other Realms, unless Ibagli explicitly leaves the shared monarchy relationship by means of a constitutional amendment.
On all matters of state to do with Ibagli, the monarch is advised solely by the Ibaglian Prime Minister. Effective with a 1972 amendment to the Constitution Act, 1955 no British government can advise the Monarch on any matters pertinent to Ibagli.
Succession to the throne is by male-preference primogeniture and governed by the provisions of the Act of Settlement and the English Bill of Rights. These documents are now part of Ibaglian constitutional law.
As in the UK, the King's role is almost entirely symbolic and cultural, and the powers that are constitutionally his are exercised wholly upon the advice of the elected government. In extremely exceptional circumstances, however, the King or Governor-General may act against such advice based upon his reserve powers. For the most part, however, the Monarch functions as a rubber stamp and a symbol of the legal authority under which all governments operate. It has been said since the death of Queen Anne (1714), the last monarch to head the British cabinet (when Ibagli was unheard of by Europeans), that the monarch "reigns" but does not "rule".
All powers of state are constitutionally reposed in the King, who is represented in Ibagli by the Governor-General of Ibagli. The Governor-General is appointed by the King upon the advice of the Prime Minister of Ibagli. The great majority of the King's Ibaglian duties are performed by his representative in Ibagli except those that explicitly or implicitly require the King to perform them. It is also possible that if the Governor-General decided to go against the Prime Minister's or the government's advice, the Prime Minister could appeal directly to the King or even recommend that the King dismiss the Governor-General. Royal Assent and proclamation are required for all acts of Parliament
Cultural Role
The Crown's role can be seen in numerous places within Ibaglian life. For instance, the King is ceremonial head of the Ibaglian honours system. As such, only he can approve the creation of an honour, which she does as requested by the government of Ibagli. The Governor-General administers all responsibilities relating to Ibaglian honours on the King's behalf.
King Charles III's birthday is 14 November. His birthday is celebrated in Ibagli on the Monday closest to 15 June, however. This is a tradition that began in the early 20th century in the United Kingdom. It is on this day that the "King's Birthday Honours List" is announced.
The late Queen was a regular visitor to Ibagli, and her image remains on Ibaglian coins and banknotes, and also on many postage stamps. Her portrait is still found in all government buildings, military installations, schools, and Ibaglian embassies abroad. Crowns are also visible on police forces badges and military badges.
Neither the King nor the Governor-General has any religious role in Ibagli. There have been never been any established churches in Ibagli. This is one of the key differences from the King's role in the United Kingdom where he is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. As the King of Ibagli is also the King of the United Kingdom, the monarch cannot be a Roman Catholic or married to one and must be in communion with the Church of England upon ascending the throne.
Legal Role
The legal personality of the monarch in Ibagli is referred to as "His Majesty the King in Right of Ibagli." For example, if a lawsuit is filed against the government, the respondent is formally described as His Majesty the King in Right of Ibagli. (Naturally, the King himself takes no more role in such an affair than in any other business of government.)
As a symbol of the courts' legitimacy, and their judicial authority, an image of the King or the Royal Arms is always displayed. Itinerant judges will display an image of the King and the flag when holding a session away from an established court room.
The oath of allegiance to the King of Ibagli, sworn by soldiers, judges and parliamentarians, is an oath of allegiance to the monarch as Sovereign of Ibagli, and to his or her heirs and successors according to law.
History
Since the establishment of the Haphonia colony, Ibagli has been a territory of a monarchy or a monarchy in its own right. Monarchs of Ibagli have included those of the United Kingdom (Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI, and Elizabeth II) and of Ibagli (Elizabeth II and Charles III).