Elizabeth II is the Queen of England and is the longest-reigning monarch in the world. With currency notes featuring her, she’s one of the most powerful persons ever. Despite all the popularity and limelight thrown on the members of the royal family, little is known about what the Queen actually does every day and what her roles and responsibilities are.
What Powers Does the Queen of England Have?
- While the Prime Minister is the head of the government of England, the Queen is the head of the British state. Queen Elizabeth came to the throne in 1952 and has ever since been the Queen of England.
- The Queen has to provide the stamp of approval for legislation passed by the British parliament to become a law.
- The Queen has to be neutral and hence doesn’t have the right to vote.
- The Queen opens each Parliament session personally.
- The Queen might have engagements all throughout the year. It is said that the number sometimes exceeds the number of engagements of all the royal family members put together.
- The Queen goes on diplomatic trips.
- She presents citizens with awards and honors them with titles as and when necessary.
- She is the Colonel-in-Chief of the armed forces (Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Airforce) of England.
- Queen Elizabeth has been featured in the currency notes and Canada is the first country to have printed her face on bills.
- The Queen can travel to countries without a passport. However, all the other members of the royal family should possess one.
- The Queen is the one who appoints the Prime Minister based on the results of a general election.
- One of the most powerful roles of the Queen is that she has the power to declare war against other countries.
- She can drive without a license. Since the licenses are issued in her name, the Queen doesn’t need to have a license.
- In addition to the UK, the Queen is also the head of state of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Papua Guinea, and a lot other island countries including Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.