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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Royal Assent
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The final stage in the passage of a bill before it becomes an *act of parliament and passes into law. The bill is signed by the sovereign, and the fact of the royal assent having been granted is then announced in an ancient ceremony in the House of *Lords. The phrase still in use derives from Norman French: La Reyne le veult (the Queen wishes it), or with a king on the throne Le Roy le veult. The royal assent has not been withheld from a bill since 1707, in the reign of Queen *Anne, but the phrase for such a case was La Reyne s'avisera (the Queen will consider).
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