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A Parliamentary Monarchy

The Kingdom of Hanover can best be described as a Parliamentary Democracy within the framework of a Constitutional Monarchy. The unicameral Parliament of Hanover, composed of the Crown, the Peers and the Commons of the Realm, is the supreme legislative body of the Kingdom of Hanover. All naturalised citizens of Hanover are eligible to sit in Parliament.

The day-to-day governing of the Realm is handled by ministers with a Parliamentary mandate appointed by the Sovereign. These ministers, headed by the Justiciar of the Realm, together form His Majesty's Government. Although in theory all the power of the Realm reposes in the Sovereign and is dispensed through his hands, in practice all executive acts of the Crown are carried out by the Government in His Majesty's name.

A Constitutional Tradition

The first written Constitution of the Kingdom of Hanover was the Charter of Hanover, composed by King James I shortly after the Realm was founded. Based heavily upon the charter promulgated in 1814 by Louis XVIII for the post-Restoration Kingdom of France, the Charter of Hanover was considered too antiquated and authoritarian in character, and consequently insufficient for a modern national community.

Following a long and sometimes gruelling Constitutional Convention, the first Organic Law of the Kingdom of Hanover was promulgated by King James I on January 27, 2003. The Organic Law ushered in a new era of Parliamentary Democracy and responsible government. Hanover's Constitution has always been a living one, and many changes and amendments have been made across the years.

The Privy Council

The Privy Council forms the highest advisory body of the Crown. It is comprised of trusted and loyal subjects of His Majesty appointed on the Government's advice. With the Privy Council, on the advice of the Government of the Day, the Crown may issue Orders in Council (executive orders) with respect to matters concerning the day-to-day governing of the Realm.

The Justiciar

The first minister of His Majesty's Government is known, in Hanover, as the Justiciar. In most other nations, this officer would be called the Prime Minister. The Justiciar holds all the portfolios of His Majesty's Government, but may divide his portfolios among auxiliary ministers as necessary.

The Great Officers of State

Largely traditional and ceremonial in character (although sometimes functional) the Great Officers of State may include any or all of the following:

The Lord High Steward
The Lord High Chancellor
The Lord High Treasurer
The Lord President of the Council
The Lord Privy Seal
The Lord Great Chamberlain
The Lord High Constable
The Earl Marshall
The Lord High Admiral

Local Government

Although local government is an aspect of the Hanoverian Community that has never been fully explored, there have been instances of subjects holding local office. These offices have included Lord Lieutenant (the Sovereign's representative in and over a county), Governor General (the Sovereign's viceroy within a Commonwealth dominion) and others.