Key facts
- System
- Constitutional monarchy
- Current monarch
- King Charles III (from 2022)
- Role
- Head of state (ceremonial)
- National anthem
- God Save the King
- Commonwealth Head
- King Charles III
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. This means the country has a King or Queen as head of state, but their powers are limited by law and convention.
The Current Monarch
King Charles III became King on 8 September 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years.
Role of the Monarch
Ceremonial Duties
- Opening of Parliament (State Opening)
- Giving Royal Assent to laws
- Receiving foreign ambassadors
- Attending state occasions and ceremonies
- Head of the Armed Forces (ceremonial)
Constitutional Role
- Politically neutral - does not vote or express political opinions
- Acts on advice of ministers
- Meets weekly with the Prime Minister
- Signs official documents
Head of the Commonwealth
- King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth
- Symbolic leader of 56 independent nations
- Role is not hereditary
The Royal Family
Key members include:
- Queen Camilla - The King's wife
- Prince William - Prince of Wales, heir to the throne
- Princess Catherine - Princess of Wales
- Prince George - Second in line to the throne
Funding
- The Royal Family is funded by the Sovereign Grant
- This comes from profits of the Crown Estate
- The monarch pays income tax voluntarily
National Anthem
"God Save the King" (or Queen) is the national anthem of the UK.
Why it comes up in the test
Know that the UK is a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's role, and the current King.
Common traps
- Thinking the monarch has real political power
- Forgetting the monarch must be politically neutral
- Not knowing the current King
The Monarchy: common questions
King Charles III became King on 8 September 2022, after Queen Elizabeth II died.
Related topics
Written from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), the only official source for the test. BritPass is not affiliated with the Home Office; if anything here differs from the handbook, the handbook is right.
