Citation

Lyon A. Liverp. Law Rev. 2010; 31(3): 289-309.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10991-010-9082-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In twentieth-century Britain, the monarch no longer exercises governmental power directly, and a monarch's incapability creates rather different issues and problems than in periods when kings ruled as well as reigned. How was a situation such as that of disabled heir apparent, or a monarch who became physically or mentally incapable while reigning, dealt with when monarchs ruled directly? This article considers some examples of monarchs in the past who were physically or mentally disabled on accession or became so while reigning, and heirs apparent who were set aside by reason of disability. It reflects upon constitutional solutions and political actions taken and how these were presented according to the ideas of the time.

Language: en