Demise of the Crown

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In relation to the shared Monarchy of the Commonwealth realms, the Demise of the Crown is the legal term for the end of a reign by a king or queen. The term was coined in English law to signify the immediate transfer of sovereignty and royal prerogatives to the late king or queen's successor without interregnum.

Upon the Crown's demise, in the United Kingdom, a meeting of the Privy Council is held in London in order to give directions for the proclamation of the late monarch's successor. The Lord Mayor of the City of London and Aldermen also attend this meeting. This meeting is to arrange for the formalities; neither the identity of the next monarch nor their accession to the throne depends on it. The proclamation takes place at St James's Palace, at Charing Cross, within the City Boundary at Temple Bar, and at the Royal Exchange. In Canada the Queen's Privy Council for Canada meets in Ottawa to perform the same functions.

Traditionally, the demise of the Crown resulted in the immediate dissolution of Parliament. This requirement was abolished throughout the British Empire by the Representation of the People Act 1867. A demise of the Crown no longer brings a session or a Parliament to an end. The Succession to the Crown Act 1707 provides that in the event of the demise of the Crown, Parliament, if adjourned or prorogued, must meet as soon as possible and if sitting must immediately proceed to act without any summons in the usual form.[1]

In the UK, since 1985, if the demise of the Crown occurs during a general election, the vote is postponed by fourteen days.

At the first meeting of Parliament under a new monarch there is no speech from the Throne. All Members of Parliament and members of the House of Lords or Senate take an oath of allegiance to the new Sovereign. The House votes an Address to the Crown in response to the official notification of the previous monarch's demise, expressing condolences upon the death of the previous monarch and loyalty to his or her successor.

All civil service and Crown offices also, traditionally, became vacant upon the demise of the Crown. As all staff were employees of the monarch, their employment would end upon the death of the monarch thus all civil servants would have to be rehired and swear out oaths to the new king or queen. The Demise of the Crown Act 1901 in the UK, and similar legislation throughout the other Commonwealth Realms, now makes this process unnecessary – they are all employees of the Crown, rather than any particular Sovereign.

Coronation of the new monarch usually occurs within 18 months but is not necessary in order to secure the succession.

Source: Debrett's