Residual powers of the British Crown in the USA

[Wulfhere]

I can only think of two, off hand.

The monarch is the head of the Church of England, which is still an important denomination in the USA (though I believe it's called Episcopalian there).

The monarch also has the power to grant coats of arms in all former British colonies.

[SwordoftheVistula]

The monarch is the head of the Church of England, which is still an important denomination in the USA (though I believe it's called Episcopalian there).

It's not that much of an important denomination anymore. Maybe 1% of the population, and like most liberal Protestant churches it's in a state of long term decline, losing members, mostly older membership. The Catholics & Baptists are the most powerful, also the Mormons and Pentecostals, I don't think the Episcopalians are even the largest of what they call the 'mainline Protestants'.

The monarch also has the power to grant coats of arms in all former British colonies.

That's limited by Article I Section 9 of the US Constitution:

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

[Wulfhere]

It's not that much of an important denomination anymore. Maybe 1% of the population, and like most liberal Protestant churches it's in a state of long term decline, losing members, mostly older membership. The Catholics & Baptists are the most powerful, also the Mormons and Pentecostals, I don't think the Episcopalians are even the largest of what they call the 'mainline Protestants'.



That's limited by Article I Section 9 of the US Constitution:

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Aren't most of the rich, ruling New England families still Episcopalian?

A coat of arms isn't a title of nobility, and certainly doesn't come with any monies. On the contrary, it costs a great deal to get one. I remember reading somewhere that not only a large number of individuals, but also corporations and public bodies, such as towns or states, have applied to the English College of Heralds for coats of arms.

[Joe McCarthy]

Any real, practical power is in the intelligence services. Conspiracists think the Mossad runs roughshod over us. The reality is that the British basically know everything we do and vice versa. It's a major component of the special relationship.

Incidentally, a number of Americans do hold honorary titles of nobility. The Queen granted Cap Weinberger an honorary knighthood, for example, for his role in the Falklands War.

[Wulfhere]

Any real, practical power is in the intelligence services. Conspiracists think the Mossad runs roughshod over us. The reality is that the British basically know everything we do and vice versa. It's a major component of the special relationship.

Incidentally, a number of Americans do hold honorary titles of nobility. The Queen granted Cap Weinberger an honorary knighthood, for example, for his role in the Falklands War.

Ronald Reagan too, got an honorary knighthood I think. Or was it an OBE?

[Joe McCarthy]

Ronald Reagan too, got an honorary knighthood I think. Or was it an OBE?

Reagan was knighted in 1989.

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/15/wo...nighthood.html

[SwordoftheVistula]

Aren't most of the rich, ruling New England families still Episcopalian?

There's not too many 'rich, ruling New England families' anymore. Lincoln Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island, is one of the last. Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown is from an old New England English family, but is a member of a branch of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Political power in the northeast was largely wrested away in the mid 20th century by Irish & Italian urban political machines. In the financial industry, Jews have become dominant, and there's also now a lot of Catholic 'ethnic whites' in it now.

There's still 'old money', but they don't have political power anymore, and they fade in wealth and power more & more as time goes on.

Reagan was knighted in 1989.

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/15/wo...nighthood.html

Yes after he was out of office.

[Joe McCarthy]

There's not too many 'rich, ruling New England families' anymore. Lincoln Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island, is one of the last. Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown is from an old New England English family, but is a member of a branch of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Political power in the northeast was largely wrested away in the mid 20th century by Irish & Italian urban political machines.

Just in Rhode Island you're forgetting Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, an Episcopalian.

One shouldn't downplay the continuing WASP role in New England. Beyond the mid-50s it was widely known that WASPs looked down on the Southie Irish from their posh estates in the busing controversy.