The Great Seal of the Realm or Great Seal of the United Kingdom is a British institution by which the monarch can authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mold or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official.

Edward the Confessor sometime before 1066 started using a Great Seal casting in wax of his own visage to signify that a document carried the force of his will. With some exceptions, each subsequent British monarch generally has chosen his or her own design for the Great Seal. Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson of the United States, did not find time to select the design for his own seal and continued to use the seal of his predecessor, George V. On the other hand, the longer-lived British monarchs have had several Great Seals during their reigns. Only one mold of the Great Seal exists at a time, and since the wax used for the Great Seal has a high melting point, the silver plates that cast the Seal eventually wear out. Queen Victoria had to select four different Great Seal designs during the sixty-three years of her reign. [1]

The current seal matrix was authorised by the Privy Council in August 1953. The obverse represents the Queen on horseback in the uniform of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards, and is inscribed "ELIZABETH . II . D G. BRITT . REGNORVMQUE . SVORUM . CETER . REGINA . CONSORTIONIS . POPVLORUM . PRINCEPS . F. D." The reverse represents The Queen enthroned and robed with sceptre and orb with the royal arms and legends "DIEU ET MON DROIT" and (partially hidden) "HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE". It also bears the inscription "ELIZABETH . II . DEI . GRATIA . BRITTANIARVM . REGINA . FIDEI . DEFENSOR".

Within today's constitutional monarchy, the British sovereign implements the advice of the Government. Hence, the Great Seal is attached to the official documents of state that require the authorisation of the British monarch. Under today's implementation of the Great Seal, seals of dark green wax are affixed to documents authorizing the promotion of individuals to the peerage, blue seals authorize actions relating to the royal family, and scarlet seals appoint bishops and implement various other affairs of state. The seal is approximately six and a half inches in diameter. In some cases the seal is replaced by a wafer version, a smaller representation of the obverse of the Great Seal embossed on coloured paper attached to the document being sealed. This simpler version is used for royal proclamations, letters patent granting the royal assent, writs of summons to Parliament and for licences for the election of bishops and commissions of the peace. It was formerly treason to forge the Great Seal.

Today the Great Seal of the Realm is in the custody of and administered by the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. This office has been held jointly with that of Lord Chancellor since 1761. The current Lord Chancellor is Lord Falconer of Thoroton. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 reiterates that the Lord Chancellor continues to be the custodian of the Great Seal.

See also

• Great Seal of Northern Ireland
• Great Seal of Scotland

External link

• United Kingdom government website