THE QUEEN ordered her lawyers to lobby ministers to create a law so that her private wealth could be kept secret, records have revealed.
They asked for new legislation that would hide “potentially embarrassing” investments.
The lawyers pressured ministers who were preparing a Companies Bill.
It is thought to have taken place during the time that Edward Heath was Prime Minister, and is one of the rare instances the monarchy appears to have been involved in politics.
The documents, unearthed at the National Archives, show there were fears that the Queen’s shareholdings might have been exposed, in November 1973.
But the law was never passed as an election was called in February 1974.
A Royal spokesman said: “Queen’s Consent is a parliamentary process, with the role of sovereign purely formal.
“Consent is always granted by the monarch where requested by government.
“Any assertion that the sovereign has blocked legislation is simply incorrect.
“Whether Queen’s Consent is required is decided by Parliament, independently from the Royal Household, in matters that would affect Crown interests.”
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