Brexit is currently in a state of chaos and many members of the British public have now lost faith in politicians and their ability to deliver Brexit. Queen Elizabeth II has ruled for 67 years, longer than any other British monarch and during which time 13 prime ministers have been in office. While officially the Queen, as Head of State, is duty-bound to remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters, she does have important ceremonial and formal roles as regards the UK government.
The Brexit process has brought about the end of Theresa May’s as Prime Minister.
Mrs May tried and failed to persuade MPs to support her withdrawal agreement on three occasions.
At the end of May, following this third failed attempt, the second-ever female prime minister announced her resignation.
During her emotional resignation speech outside Number 10 Downing Street, Mrs May said: “It is, and will always remain, a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit.
“It will be for my successor to seek a way forward that honours the result of the referendum.”
Brexit latest: Can the Queen intervene to stop Brexit? (Image: GETTY)
Now, Tory leadership contenders Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are competing to take over as the next Conservative Party leader.
These failures and changes at Number 10 Downing Street have fuelled the public’s antipathy and distrust in the government and their ability to agree a Brexit deal before the deadline on October 31.
Brexit latest: On July 23, either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt will win the leadership role (Image: GETTY)
So is it possible the Queen could wade in and stop Brexit?
Traditionally, members of the British royal family are expected to be apolitical in public, meaning they cannot vote or even express political views.
According to the royal family’s website, Queen Elizabeth II must remain “strictly neutral with respect to political matters” and is “unable to vote or stand for election.”
However, the Queen does have important ceremonious and formal roles as regards politics.
Brexit latest: The Queen delivering her State Opening of Parliament speech in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
So how exactly could she intervene in the Brexit deadlock?
It is possible the Queen could prorogue Parliament which could help push through a no deal Brexit
In theory, until a new withdrawal agreement is in Parliament, the new prime minister does not need to do anything for a no deal Brexit to happen, because the UK departure date of October 31 is written in law.
Whomever is elected prime minister could force through a no deal Brexit by running down the clock.
Brexit latest: The Queen and Prince Charles at the State Opening of Parliament in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
One way to enable this is to close Parliament early in the run-up to the Brexit deadline, which is called prorogation.
However, it is not as simple as it sounds.
The power to open and close Parliamentary sessions is strictly a reserve power of the Queen, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Privy Council.
To prorogue parliament in this way would be highly controversial and has been attacked from many sides who claim it is a way to shut Parliament out from one of the key decisions of the day.
Another way in which the Queen could stop Brexit is to refuse to accept the new candidate for prime minister.
Brexit latest: State Opening of Parliament ceremony in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
Theoretically, Queen Elizabeth II could say she does not have confidence in the chosen replacement for Theresa May.
Constitutionally, the Queen can choose the Prime Minister as she retains the “right to appoint” the premier, but conventions surrounding her role mean the monarch seldom, if ever, intervenes in matters of state.
The Queen is duty bound to adhere to the wishes of the nation and elect any Prime Minister elected by the British public.
But technically she could refuse to accept the succession on this occasion and, therefore, intervene with the Brexit negotiations in this manner.
Brexit latest: Will the Queen intervene in Brexit? (Image: GETTY)
The clearest way in which the Queen could stop a no deal Brexit, or Brexit entirely, is if a vote of no confidence was commanded in the House of Commons.
In theory, if a vote of no confidence was passed the Queen might be called upon to choose between two rival claims to form a government.
The Queen could then choose a party that wished to stop Brexit or a no deal Brexit.
If an existing prime minister refused to leave, a strategy mooted by some in recent months, the plan might be to force a general election rather than to let others test whether they could command the confidence of the House.
