The Exercise of Soft Power by Female Monarchs in the United Kingdom

Abstract

In the United Kingdom, female monarchs, such as Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, have been adept at the exercise of power through influence behind closed doors, eschewing public exercises of constitutional power against governments. This exercise of soft power has led to a general underestimation of their role as sovereign. Strict rules of secrecy concerning the Sovereign's actions have made it difficult to assess how a sovereign has fulfilled her constitutional role and her impact upon constitutional governance. But small chinks in the gilded curtain of secrecy show that the Queen's involvement and influence is greater and more effective than has been publicly recognised. This article traces the development of soft power from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II and notes how it has been particularly employed to their advantage by female monarchs.