Life in the UK Test
Sign in
Back to What is the UK?

A constitutional monarchy

Study note

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. This means the country has a king or queen as its head of state, but the monarch does not have unlimited power. Their role is limited by law, and it is the elected Parliament that makes the laws and runs the country day to day.

A constitutional monarchy is therefore very different from an absolute monarchy, where a ruler can do as they wish. In the UK the monarch reigns as head of state and carries out important ceremonial duties, while real political power rests with the government and Parliament chosen by the people. Since 2022 the monarch has been King Charles III.

For the test, remember that the UK's system is a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch's powers are limited by law. Descriptions such as an absolute monarchy, a one-party state or a direct democracy are wrong answers.

Memory tip: Constitutional monarchy: a king, but Parliament holds the real law-making power.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 2

Which term best describes the UK's system of government?

Score so far: 0 / 0
Show all questions and answers for A constitutional monarchy(2 questions with explanations)

A constitutional monarchy: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which term best describes the UK's system of government?

    • An absolute monarchy
    • A constitutional monarchy
    • A direct democracy
    • A one-party state

    Correct answer: A constitutional monarchy

    The UK is a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's powers are limited by law.

  2. 2. In a constitutional monarchy the monarch's powers are limited by law.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. In the UK's constitutional monarchy, the monarch's powers are limited and Parliament makes the laws.

Back to What is the UK?, or try a mock test or timed exam.