{"id":2154289,"date":"2025-11-13T15:54:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T15:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2154289"},"modified":"2025-11-13T15:54:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T15:54:08","slug":"no-king-charles-has-not-used-ancient-royal-power-to-limit-mayors-control-of-london-full-fact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/no-king-charles-has-not-used-ancient-royal-power-to-limit-mayors-control-of-london-full-fact\/","title":{"rendered":"No, King Charles has not used ancient royal power to limit mayor\u2019s control of London \u2013 Full Fact"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"block-checked_claims\">\n<div class=\"mx-n2 mx-sm-0\">\n<div class=\"card card-block card-claim-conclusion mb-2\">\n<div class=\"row no-gutters card-body-text\">\n<div class=\"col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"card-body card-claim-body\">\n<p class=\"card-title\">What was claimed<\/p>\n<p>                <span data-nosnippet=\"\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"card-text\">King Charles has bypassed Parliament to freeze the powers of London\u2019s mayor Sadiq Khan, by invoking a power called the \u201csovereign safeguard authority\u201d, which has  effectively halted the mayor\u2019s control over the capital.<\/p>\n<p><\/span>\n            <\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-6\">\n<div class=\"card-body accent card-conclusion-body\">\n<p class=\"card-title\">Our verdict<\/p>\n<p class=\"card-text\">This is false. There is no such thing as the \u201csovereign safeguard authority\u201d and the British monarch does not have the power to take control of a city from a democratically elected politician.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\">\n<p data-block-key=\"mvr97\">King Charles has not used an \u201cancient Royal power\u201d to freeze the powers of London\u2019s mayor, contrary to faked news reports being shared online.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"3q76b\">A connected series of four videos circulating on social media, which together have gathered thousands of shares and \u2018likes\u2019, have made false claims about an intervention by the monarch in London\u2019s politics.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"65ob\">A voiceover on one of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1228311845984845\">the videos<\/a>, which continues in another, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1783170669030801\">says<\/a>: \u201cFor the first time in modern British history the monarch stepped directly into politics, bypassing Parliament, and freezing the powers of London\u2019s mayor Sadiq Khan.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block-image\">\n<figure>\n<p>    <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\">\n<p data-block-key=\"mvr97\">The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1783170669030801\">subsequent<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/1989137438542412\">videos<\/a> claim that the King invoked an \u201cancient Royal power\u201d called the \u201csovereign safeguard authority, effectively halting Khan\u2019s control over the capital\u201d.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"6nue2\">They <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/24810672788574365\">claim<\/a> that a \u201cleaked 14 page dossier from inside City Hall\u201d revealed that advisors to Mr Khan were secretly discussing a \u201cpost-monarchy London\u201d.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"fnhkc\">In response to this alleged dossier, the voiceover claims that King Charles is now preparing a \u201cconstitutional emergency speech\u201d in which he will \u201cname names\u201d and expose a \u201ccovert plan to dismantle Britain\u2019s unity\u201d.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"anlfi\">However, the claims in these videos are false. We could find <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?sca_esv=c019091b52478373&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB1082GB1082&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifOBMyViP2N_l_5bxN79M98YoOcVEQ:1762874413319&amp;q=%22Sadiq+Khan%22+%22post+monarchy%22+%22London%22&amp;tbm=nws&amp;source=lnms&amp;fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZrjP_Cx0LI1Ytb_FGcOviEiTm5uW1q0uNfK7KsnoL8hUty_Nww_xBrtNM8kFbkB3g1bg2hhOJibxqsFhSRHKGCRZoeYpUqcUINTCwvvQmbMPgMKcUbDOqiIbSx916_CEDVmArnsBrf5Q7RvQOI0akucWLdvop6o_Dz_EvOPCm0vDAUaA8JuYKvqSVyIRO9jKSfOavfA&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi-7sH5suqQAxW_UkEAHcSnCIIQ0pQJegQIFxAB&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=919&amp;dpr=1\">no credible reporting<\/a> of any leaked dossier of this nature, or any <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.london.gov.uk\/search?query=monarchy\">such plans<\/a> by the London mayor.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"75gdu\">There is also no evidence that the King has intervened to stop Sadiq Khan from being the Mayor of London, the position he <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/election\/2024\/england\/mayors\/E12000007\">was re-elected to last year<\/a>. This would clearly be a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?sca_esv=f9a4d5dbb28ed665&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB1082GB1082&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifNQfa9Bz3mkBEUEgUDHwS7QorH7Yw:1762515598211&amp;q=%22King+Charles%22+%22Sadiq+Khan%22&amp;tbm=nws&amp;source=lnms&amp;fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZrjP_Cx0LI1Ytb_FGcOviEiTm5uW1q0uNfK7KsnoL8hUyUYUJLZ_b-p0lT09DIkR7_q0mtFuvjefXbfSGq2Tud1NjQHO7UBOLIsgRl_URreo25IxcU0AXYSX5GBfH6CRWrwn8d8r7zLzyVLkQs2W62kTBfQpGl5UENA3ecDGPhK2XYncSxUacQilH4Jra8eldWvyorQ&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj90ZGh-t-QAxVHRUEAHZrcOugQ0pQJegQIDhAB&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=919&amp;dpr=1\">major news event<\/a> if it had happened, but a search for these terms brings up no media reports of this taking place.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"e0n72\">In fact the King <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c5yg7exvdzwo\">knighted Mr Khan<\/a> at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in June this year.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"5uu1j\">There is also no legal mechanism by which the King could suspend the powers of a democratically elected mayor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block-signup_cta\">\n<div class=\"inline-donate\" id=\"inline-newsletter-signup-form\" style=\"scroll-margin-top: 100px;\">\n<p class=\"h3 mt-1 mb-2\">Join 72,953 people who trust us to check the facts<\/p>\n<p>Sign up to get weekly updates on politics, immigration, health and more.<\/p>\n<p><!--There should be only one message returned by Mailchimp API--><\/p>\n<p>      <small class=\"text-muted text-center d-block\" style=\"font-size: 75%;\"><br \/>\n          <\/small><\/p>\n<p>\nSubscribe to weekly email newsletters from Full Fact for updates on politics, immigration, health and more.<br \/>\nOur fact checks are free to read but not to produce, so you will also get occasional emails about fundraising<br \/>\nand other ways you can help. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how we use your data<br \/>\nsee our <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/fullfact.org\/terms-and-conditions\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\">\n<h3 data-block-key=\"2tdhn\" id=\"what-political-powers-does-the-british-monarch-have\"><b>What political powers does the British monarch have?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p data-block-key=\"6h0pg\">King Charles III is the UK head of state and head of the Commonwealth, but his powers are generally considered to be chiefly ceremonial, and he does not intervene in day-to-day politics.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"fhfpj\">His three <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ucl.ac.uk\/social-historical-sciences\/constitution-unit\/constitution-unit-research-areas\/monarchy-church-and-state\/british-monarchy-faqs#Prerogative%20powers:~:text=following%20ministerial%20advice.-,What%20are%20the%20monarch%E2%80%99s%20prerogative%20powers%3F,-Most%20of%20the\">prerogative powers<\/a> are the power to appoint and dismiss ministers (on advice of the Prime Minister); to summon, dissolve and prorogue Parliament; and to grant royal assent to bills passed by Parliament (the last time <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cwy7e4q779wo#:~:text=Royal%20Assent%3A%20When%20a%20piece%20of%20legislation%20is%20passed%20through%20Parliament%2C%20it%20must%20be%20formally%20approved%20by%20the%20King%20in%20order%20to%20become%20law.%20Royal%20Assent%20was%20last%20refused%20in%201708\">royal assent was refused<\/a> was in 1708).<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"6bi9d\">There is <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=%22sovereign+safeguard+authority%22&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB1082GB1082&amp;oq=%22sovereign+safeguard+authority%22&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABjvBTIKCAIQABiABBiiBDIKCAMQABiABBiiBDIHCAQQABjvBTIKCAUQABiABBiiBNIBCDMyNTVqMGo3qAIAsAIA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;peek_pws=0&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifMMdAoMSHF9wpzCdfQpZ26RvpAJfQ:1762358567255\">no royal power<\/a> called a \u2018sovereign safeguard authority\u2019.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"3idq9\">The formal appointment of a government involves the monarch meeting the leader of the party that wins a general election at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cwy7e4q779wo#:~:text=Appointing%20a%20government%3A%20The%20leader%20of%20the%20party%20that%20wins%20a%20general%20election%20is%20usually%20called%20to%20Buckingham%20Palace%20and%20invited%20to%20form%20a%20government.%20The%20King%20also%20formally%20dissolves%20Parliament%20before%20a%20general%20election\">Buckingham Palace to invite them to form an administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"1qmn8\">The British monarchy is known as a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.royal.uk\/the-role-of-the-monarchy\">constitutional monarchy<\/a>, with Parliament and not the Royal Family, having the ability to make and pass legislation.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"8uinb\">The government\u2019s plans are set out in the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ucl.ac.uk\/social-historical-sciences\/constitution-unit\/constitution-unit-research-areas\/monarchy-church-and-state\/british-monarchy-faqs#:~:text=Although%20the%20monarchy,the%20coming%20year.\">King\u2019s Speech<\/a>, part of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony, which is read aloud by the King. But the speech is largely written by the government, and the monarch delivers it in a neutral tone.<\/p>\n<p data-block-key=\"fhaqi\">We have recently fact checked other videos <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/fullfact.org\/politics\/king-charles-deepfake-keir-starmer\/\">making false claims about King Charles<\/a> and his direct involvement in British politics. Before sharing content like this that you see on social media, first consider whether it comes from a trustworthy and verifiable source. Our <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/fullfact.org\/toolkit\/\">toolkit<\/a> can help you spot bad information that you may come across online.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source fullfact.org \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What was claimed King Charles has bypassed Parliament to freeze the powers of London\u2019s mayor Sadiq Khan, by invoking a power called the \u201csovereign safeguard authority\u201d, which has effectively halted the mayor\u2019s control over the capital. Our verdict This is false. There is no such thing as the \u201csovereign safeguard authority\u201d and the British monarch [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2154290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2154289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/No-King-Charles-has-not-used-ancient-royal-power-to.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2154289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2154289"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2154289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2154291,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2154289\/revisions\/2154291"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2154290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2154289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2154289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2154289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}