Royal Assent

Royal Assent is signified to a Bill by the Monarch after it has been agreed by both Houses of Parliament.

The Royal Assent is signified to a Bill by the monarch after it has been agreed by both Houses of Parliament.

Royal Assent is now a constitutional convention which is guaranteed.  Should the Monarch refuse to provide Royal Assent to a bill, it would provoke an immediate constitutional crisis on an unprecedented scale.

Royal Assent is announced to the House by the Speaker. Upon receiving its Royal Assent, a Bill then becomes an Act.

Since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has given Royal Assent to more than 3,650 Acts of Parliament.

Depending on its provisions, it may come immediately into force or may come into force on a date prescribed by statutory instrument (a Commencement Order).