What is royal assent?

Royal Assent is the monarch's formal agreement that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act of Parliament, making it law. It is the final stage of the law-making process. By convention the monarch always grants it, and no monarch has refused Royal Assent since 1708.

A bill must pass both the House of Commons and the House of Lords in the same form before it goes for Royal Assent. The monarch then gives approval, traditionally using the Norman French phrase Le Roy le veult, meaning the King wishes it. The Speakers of each House announce the news to their chambers. It is the final step for any bill.

Since 1967 Royal Assent has usually been given by written notification rather than a ceremony. The last refusal came in 1708, when Queen Anne declined to approve the Scottish Militia Bill on ministers' advice. Today refusing assent against the government's advice would cause a constitutional crisis, so it is regarded as a formality. Several bills often receive assent on the same day.

Royal Assent also applies to laws from the devolved parliaments. Bills passed by the Scottish Parliament, the Senedd and the Northern Ireland Assembly need it to become law. Most Acts do not take effect immediately. Many sections start on dates later set by ministers in commencement regulations. Some Acts never come fully into force if ministers do not commence them, as with parts of laws on social care.