In the British political system, who holds the authority to appoint life peers to the House of Lords?

The House of Lords, the UK's upper chamber of Parliament, includes life peers, individuals appointed for their outstanding contributions to society. While the process might seem complex, the actual authority to appoint these life peers formally rests with the monarch. Think of it like this: the Prime Minister recommends individuals for peerages, essentially creating a list of worthy candidates. However, it's the monarch, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, who officially grants the peerage. This reflects the historical role of the monarch as the fountain of honour. Although the monarch's powers are largely symbolic today, this appointment power is a vestige of that historical authority. It's not the Cabinet collectively, nor is it a hereditary title conferred by parents or guardians. The Prime Minister initiates the process, but the monarch is the one who ultimately makes the appointment official, maintaining a link to the historical powers of the Crown.