Monarchy in Britain

Great Britain is a monarchy, but the British Queen is not absolute, her powers are limited by Parliament. The power is hereditary and not elective. The Queen is not only head of state, but also an important symbol of national unity. In law she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Crown and the supreme governor of the established Church of England.