Can the Queen be arrested?

[Backdrifter]

If she was on walkabout, went loopy and kicked the sh*t out of one of her subjects or punched them in the head, would normal arrest & charge protocols apply?

Sorry, I didn't know where to post this - a "Royals Freaking Out" forum would have been ideal but there isn't one.

[jake-the-peg]

I seem to remember we cut the head off of the last monarch that tried that divine right of kings stuff!

The institution of the Crown is immune from prosecution but in theory the Queen could breech the "act of settlement" by becoming a Catholic automatically debarring her from the throne and could be then arrested

However that could easily be contested under Human rights legislation which could give you a rather amusing situation of the Queen taking the Crown to the European Court of Human Rights.

I wouldn't hold your breath though!

[jno]

her majesty's immunity extends to members of her military and police, who can kill anyone they like but must observe health and safety precautions and not do it when there's salmonella about

[jno]

actually the royal immunity is all theory - nobody's really tested it.I f they did, judges might decide, contrary to popular supposition, that she could be made to give evidence, or be prosecuted herself.

Remember the Paul Burrell trial where she belatedly remembered he'd mentioned he was keeping Diana's possessions - so Regina's evidence (not actually given in court) in Regina v Burrell went against Regina. Odd.

[jake-the-peg]

They could prosecute the Queen (not the crown) under the 1701 act of settlement..

...every person and persons that then were, or afterwards should be reconciled to, or shall hold communion with the see or Church of Rome, or should profess the popish religion, or marry a papist, should be excluded, and are by that Act made for ever incapable to inherit, possess, or enjoy the Crown and government of this realm.

And despite what those who still salute the national anthem may think the Queen doesn't run this country by the divine right of kings, the common people rule it by the Parliament act.

[Backdrifter]

So - what if she punched someone's lights out in public? In that specific instance, what would happen?

[jno]

Like I said, nobody really knows. If you made enough fuss you might embarrass the police into investigating and prosecuting, though you'd encounter plenty of reluctance and active obstruction along the way. More than likely you'd be offered a large sum of money and maybe an OBE if you backed off (the Michael Jackson approach). Try and place yourself in the path of the royal handbag and see what happens.

[netibiza]

The mere thought of our Queen doing a "prezza" had me in stitches!!!!

[Backdrifter]

Well, you never know. She might suddenly decide that after 50 years of smiling and meeting proles she's had enough, and go completely beserk. And push the next bunch of flowers she's offered into the person's astonished face.

[jno]

well, she's not like that, which is precisely why people like her and give her flowers. Besides, she's 80 and I suspect her head-butt isn't working the way it used to. Anne might be a stroppier customer - but she was prosecuted a few years ago over letting her mad dogs run free. Got off, of course.

[Backdrifter]

heh heh heh... yes I suppose 80's a bit old to be trying headbutts - maybe she'd stick with a kick in the shins or a poke in the eye.

[frenchfriar]

as an American, the mere thought of Her Majesty, attacking someone with her purse, sent me into peals of laughter. I don't know the legalities of your propsed situation, but I can make a guess as to the result...
her "victim" would become an instant celebrity, worldwide, make millions in appearance fees, and book deals, and quite generally live a nice life afterwards.
As to the Queen herself, I would imagine her entourage would have her spirited off in no time, and be trying to convince the victim it was in his best interest to keep quiet about it, if it were possible to do so.
Even so, even as an American, I can't imagine anyone trying to bring a lawsuit against her.
Besides the question of possibility, you know her legal representatives would be the best in Britain, right? You would have to have SOME NERVE to face that! lol