Monarchy of the United Kingdom

(CC) Photo: UK Parliament
The monarch visits Parliament annually in a ceremony to begin parliamentary proceedings. During this State Opening of Parliament, the Queen's Speech sets out her government's intentions for the coming year.

The monarchy in the United Kingdom and its territories is an institution which provides the British head of state as a king or queen with ceremonial powers. The government of the United Kingdom runs the country in the name of the monarch. The monarchy is therefore a constitutional monarchy, having no real political power, but the Royal Family performs a variety of duties. Since 1952 the head of state has been Elizabeth II, one of the longest-reigning monarchs in world history. She is also Queen of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and 13 other sovereign nations, as well as being head of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Church of England.

The British monarchy is hereditary, in that the eldest child of the monarch usually becomes King or Queen. Until 2011, when the law of succession was changed, a daughter would only become Queen if she had no brothers. The current heir to the throne is Charles, Prince of Wales.