For centuries, British kings and queens exercised unchecked authority over their vast empire, to the disadvantage of their citizens living in distant regions.
What sort of authority does a 2022 monarch have?Despite the beautiful palaces and glittering crowns that are still associated with monarchies.
King Charles III, succeeding his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96, and is aiming for what many royal observers predict to be a more stripped-down monarchy.
The monarch retains his or her position as the ceremonial leader of both the Church of England and the British Armed Forces.
"Although The Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play a vital part in the life of the nation," the website states.
The Sovereign, with the help of their immediate family, "serves as a focal point for national identity, solidarity, and pride; provides a sense of stability and continuity.