The Role of the British Monarch in Modern Times
This page discusses the current role of the British monarch in the UK's constitutional monarchy system.
In today's Britain, the monarch serves as the head of state but has limited formal power. The Queen represents the country and acts as the face of Britain, but political decisions are made by the parliament and government. The monarch's role is largely ceremonial and representative, serving to promote national identity, unity, and pride.
Definition: Constitutional monarchy - A system of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution.
The Queen's duties include opening new sessions of Parliament with the Queen's speech, which is written by the Prime Minister. While the monarch is well-informed about political matters, they remain politically impartial, uniting and representing the whole country.
Quote: "The Queen represents the country but does not have a lot of power."
The Prime Minister, on the other hand, holds significant political power. They choose and dismiss ministers, preside over the cabinet, dissolve parliament, and advise the Queen on various matters.