9. The Royal Family

Many members of the Royal Family undertake official duties in Britain and abroad. Their various responsibilities reflect tradition, their own personal interests and Britain's former imperial status. The Royal Family's money comes from two sources: government funds and their own personal wealth, which is considerable. On the one hand the Queen is certainly one of the richest women in the world, while on the other her power is limited by the fact that so many of her expenses are paid for by government money. Parliament has had effective control of the monarch's finances since the seventeenth century.

The Queen is really a figurehead representing the country, but she has the power to prevent any politician from establishing a dictatorship. The Queen and her family are a symbol that people can identify with. The British public is interested with the details of the royal family life, and when people feel that the Queen has problems with her children, or her sister, they see her as a “real person” with the same worries as themselves.

The monarchy has not always been popular. During the late 19th century there was a growing republican feeling, but the personality and family image of the Queen, her father and grandfather have removed that feeling. The Queen is probably the wealthiest woman in the world, most of the money coming from family investments rather than the state. Her state salary pays for her servants and transport. In recent years the Queen has become a travelling ambassador for Britain, and if we calculate the increase in trade after a royal visit abroad, the nation probably makes a profit from her activities, and that does not take into account the income from tourism in Britain generated by the monarchy and great state events such as royal weddings.

Just how popular is she? In the late 1980s a newspaper conducted an opinion poll. People were asked, “If there were no monarchy, who would you vote for as President?” More than 80 per cent chose the Queen. Prince Charles came second, closely followed by his father, Prince Philip.

10. The Innocent or the Guilty

Imagine, that you have been arrested for something like shoplifting, or for dangerous driving, or for getting drunk and causing “a disturbance of the peace”. You are in a Magistrates Court now. There are three Magistrates “on the bench” in front of you. At least one of them is a woman. They are on a raised platform, at desks, side by side. In front of and below them there is another man. He is the “Clerk of the Court” and he, unlike them, is trained in the law and is paid for his work. During your case he will handle the administrative details and perhaps give advice to the Magistrates on legal points.

The case begins. The policeman who arrested you gives evidence. He reads details from a small black notebook that he always carries. He tells the court when and why he arrested you, what you said, what he said, and so on. Your solicitor questions him. One of the Magistrates speaking for all three, also asks questions. Other witnesses appear. Perhaps you yourself say nothing at all. You do not have to speak in your defence. “Everyone is innocent unless proved guilty”. In other words, you do not have to prove that you are innocent. The police have to prove you are guilty.

At the end the Magistrates probably do not even go out of the court. They discuss your case in low voices in front of you. You try to hear, but cannot. Then the Clerk of the Court tells you to stand. The Magistrate who has done the talking for the others tells you whether they have found you innocent or guilty. He can sentence you to no more than six months for one offence, to a maximum of one year for two or more offences or to a fine of 400 pounds.

More serious cases are heard in the Crown Court, where the Judge is always a legal expert and is also paid for his work. In the Crown Court you may, if you choose, be given a “trial by jury”. Twelve ordinary people like yourself judge you. But the Judge himself always decides on the sentence.