The role of the monarch

The UK has a king, but he does not run the country. So what does the monarch actually do?

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Head of state

The monarch is the UK's head of state. King Charles III became king on 8 September 2022 and was crowned on 6 May 2023.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy: the monarch reigns but does not rule. Decisions are made by elected politicians.
The monarch is expected to stay politically neutral.

Constitutional duties

The monarch:
appoints the Prime Minister after an election;
opens each new session of Parliament at the State Opening and reads the King's Speech, which is written by the government and sets out its plans;
gives Royal Assent to bills;
meets the Prime Minister regularly to hear about government business.

Other roles

The monarch is also Head of the Armed Forces, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and Head of the Commonwealth, a group of 56 countries.
The monarch represents the UK on state visits, welcomes foreign leaders and recognises achievements through honours.
People debate the monarchy. Supporters say it gives stability and is above party politics; critics, including those who want a republic with an elected head of state, say a head of state should not be inherited.
Worked example

The King's Speech sets out new laws the government plans. Who writes it, and why does this matter?

  1. The King reads the speech at the State Opening of Parliament.
  2. But it is written by the government, not by the King.
  3. This shows that in a constitutional monarchy the monarch does not decide policy; elected politicians do.

Answer: The government writes it, showing that elected politicians, not the monarch, make the decisions.

Key idea

The monarch is head of state in a constitutional monarchy, staying politically neutral. The monarch appoints the Prime Minister, reads the King's Speech (written by the government) and gives Royal Assent. Charles III became king on 8 September 2022.

Key words
Constitutional monarchy
A system where a monarch is head of state but elected politicians make the decisions, following the rules of the constitution.
Prime Minister
The head of the UK government, usually the leader of the party that can command the confidence of the House of Commons.
Royal Assent
The monarch's formal agreement that turns a bill into an Act of Parliament.
2022
Charles III becomes king on 8 September.
Republic
A country whose head of state is elected or chosen, rather than a hereditary monarch.

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  1. Who is the head of the UK government?

    1. The monarch
    2. The Speaker
    3. The Lord Chief Justice
    4. The Prime Minister
    Show the answer

    Answer: The Prime Minister

    The monarch is head of state; the Prime Minister leads the government.

  2. What is the purpose of the King's Speech?

    1. To announce the monarch's own laws
    2. To give the Opposition's views
    3. To report on court cases
    4. To set out the government's plans for new laws
    Show the answer

    Answer: To set out the government's plans for new laws

    The government writes the King's Speech, read by the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament.

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 16 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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