The son of Britain’s hereditary head of state is able to veto some proposed legislation, according to an extraordinary report in the Guardian. It had been believed that Britain’s feudal system required the consent of his mother for new laws to be enacted but that this was a mere formality.
Mr. Windsor was reported by the newspaper to be able to block laws that affect his personal interests particularly those to do with the Duchy of Cornwall. The son of the head of state receives an annual income of more than £18m from the property and investments owned by the Duchy.
According to the newspaper, Mr. Windsor has been asked for his permission for the passing of “at least a dozen government bills”. These bills have covered road safety, gambling, the Olympic Games , co-operative societies, economic development, housing, energy and planning reform.
Both the government and the Windsor family have refused to reveal details of the laws or the reasons for asking Mr. Windsor’s permission. But the Guardian reported that in one case a government minister wrote to Windsor asking for his agreement to a law on planning reform because it was “capable of applying to (Windsors’) private interests”.
Anthony Gueterbock, legislator-for-life, was told that he must seek Windsor’s permission for a marine navigation bill. The Labour Party supporter said “If he is given these powers purely because he owns land in Cornwall it is pretty stupid”.
Britain does not have a written constitution.