Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sum of money voted by the British Parliament each year for the expenses of the British royal family: The "civil list" is an annual grant approved by Parliament to cover the official costs of the sovereign and their household.

Usage

• The term is used specifically in the context of British constitutional finance and monarchy.
• It refers to the public funds allocated for the monarch's official duties, staff salaries, and the upkeep of royal residences used for state functions.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The civil list was reformed in 2012, being replaced by the Sovereign Grant.
  • Parliament must approve the amount of the civil list each year.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term "civil list" historically distinguished the sovereign's personal and household expenses from other state expenditures, like military costs (the "military list").
• Modern Equivalent: Since 2012, the "civil list" has been largely superseded by the "Sovereign Grant," a new system of funding the monarchy, though the term is still used in historical and constitutional discussions.

Variants and Related Words

• Sovereign Grant (n): The current system of public funding for the British monarchy, which replaced the civil list for core funding.
• Civil List Pension (n): A separate, historical pension awarded from the civil list funds for services to the crown or the state, often to artists, scientists, or public servants.

Synonyms

• Royal grant: A general term for money granted for royal expenses.
• Parliamentary annuity: An annual payment authorized by Parliament.

Related Phrases

• To be on the civil list: A historical phrase meaning to receive a pension from these funds.
  • The distinguished poet was placed on the civil list for his contributions to literature.

Noun

1. a sum of money voted by British Parliament each year for the expenses of the British royal family