royal prerogative

Powers, immunities, and privileges recognized in common law as belonging to the crown. Most prerogative acts in the UK are now performed by the government on behalf of the crown. The royal prerogative belongs to the Queen as a person as well as to the institution called the crown, and the award of some honours and dignities remain her personal choice. As by prerogative ‘the king can do no wrong’, the monarch is immune from prosecution.

The royal prerogative is traceable to the days before Parliament existed. Examples include the conduct of foreign relations, making war and peace, the dissolution of Parliament, assent to bills, and the choice of ministers.