Which is the role of Queen

The monarch and his immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic and representational duties. As the monarchy is constitutional, the monarch is limited to non-partisan functions such as bestowing honours and appointing the Prime Minister.

The monarch is, by tradition, commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces. Though the ultimate formal executive authority over the government of the United Kingdom is still by and through the monarch's royal prerogative, these powers may only be used according to laws enacted in Parliament and, in practice, within the constraints of convention and precedent.

Commonwealth Queen

Queen Elizabeth II meeting crowds in Hobart, Tasmania in 1970.The Queen became the first reigning monarch to visit Australia and New Zealand.In 1970 she invented the royal 'walkabout', to meet local people as well as dignitaries on her tours. This has since become a popular royal tradition.

She is head of the Commonwealth, a title created by her father as countries left the Empire but wished to retain links with the UK and the monarchy. The Queen has visited all 53 Commonwealth nations except two recent joiners, Cameroon and Rwanda.

Elizabeth II becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch

The Queen attending a ceremony for ANZAC day at the cenotaph in 2015.

On 9 September 2015 Elizabeth II overtook Victoria to become Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

By this point she had been Queen to twelve Prime Ministers, and still met David Cameron weekly to receive reports on his government and to offer her counsel and advice.

In 2013, the law was changed so the monarch’s eldest born child has the right to the throne, rather than the eldest boy. It is fitting that this occurred during the rule of Elizabeth II, our longest reigning and perhaps most successful monarch in history.