What Would Happen to King Charles III If He Murdered Queen Camilla?
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As the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, King Charles III is immune from criminal and civil prosecution, known as crown immunity or sovereign immunity, even if he killed someone. This is a long-standing constitutional convention that the monarch can do no wrong. This means that the King cannot be arrested, charged, or tried for any criminal offence or put under a civil investigation.
However, crown immunity only applies to the King in his office as the monarch. If he is removed from his office as the monarch, he can then be prosecuted like any other citizen. Although there is no way for the King to be impeached, Parliament has the power to remove a sitting monarch. In fact, this happened three times in the past, such as the deposition of James II and VII of England, Ireland and Scotland in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 who wished to marry an American divorcee against the advice of the government and the Church of England.
If King Charles refused to abdicate peacefully after committing a crime, Parliament as the supreme legislative body of the country could in theory vote to dethrone him and make Prince William the next King. At this point, King Charles III would no longer enjoy crown immunity and could be prosecuted and arrested like an ordinary citizen.
However, the prosecution and arrest of King Charles might end in civil war if his supporters and Household Guards saw this as a political persecution. If he wanted to resolve the issue peacefully, he could go into exile. But in either way, there would be a constitutional crisis of epic proportions, so King Charles III has to carefully ensure that activities in his personal capacity are carried out in strict accordance with the law. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that he would ever commit a crime as he takes his role as a figurehead very seriously and is known for his impeccable sense of duty and propriety.
However, crown immunity only applies to the King in his office as the monarch. If he is removed from his office as the monarch, he can then be prosecuted like any other citizen. Although there is no way for the King to be impeached, Parliament has the power to remove a sitting monarch. In fact, this happened three times in the past, such as the deposition of James II and VII of England, Ireland and Scotland in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 who wished to marry an American divorcee against the advice of the government and the Church of England.
If King Charles refused to abdicate peacefully after committing a crime, Parliament as the supreme legislative body of the country could in theory vote to dethrone him and make Prince William the next King. At this point, King Charles III would no longer enjoy crown immunity and could be prosecuted and arrested like an ordinary citizen.
However, the prosecution and arrest of King Charles might end in civil war if his supporters and Household Guards saw this as a political persecution. If he wanted to resolve the issue peacefully, he could go into exile. But in either way, there would be a constitutional crisis of epic proportions, so King Charles III has to carefully ensure that activities in his personal capacity are carried out in strict accordance with the law. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that he would ever commit a crime as he takes his role as a figurehead very seriously and is known for his impeccable sense of duty and propriety.
