Government & Democracy
The Monarchy & Head of State
The UK is a constitutional monarchy. The monarch is the head of state but does not rule the country — they act on the advice of the government and remain politically neutral.
Key facts
- ◆ The monarch is the head of state, not the head of government.
- ◆ The monarch does not take part in party politics and stays neutral.
- ◆ The monarch opens each new session of Parliament.
- ◆ The monarch is also Head of the Commonwealth and of the Church of England.