Form of Government

A monarchy is a form of government in which all political power is absolutely or nominally lodged with an individual, known as a monarch ("single ruler"), or king (male), queen (female).

As a political entity, the monarch is the head of state, generally until their death or abdication, and "is wholly set apart from all other members of the state."

The Monarchy File

• Since 1066 there have been forty monarchs in England (thirty-five Kings, five Queens and seven dynaties).
• The rule of the monarchy has only broken once. That was after the English Civil War. Then (between 1649-1660) the country was governed by Oliver Cromwell and his parliament.
• Only fourteen monarchs have stayed on the throne for more than twenty-five years. One of them is Queen Elizabeth II.
• Every Royal house or "dynasty" has a surname. In Britain´s case that name is Windsor. Queen Elizabeth II is the fourth Windsor monarch.