Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work Head of State (Season 1, Episode 4)
TV Episode | 58 min | Documentary

Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work

Head of State (Season 1, Episode 4)

TV Episode | 58 min | Documentary

While the British monarchy retains the formal trappings of its absolute past, the Sovereign no longer rules, all political power has shifted to the democratically mandated politicians, parliament and cabinet. Although the organs of state ...See moreWhile the British monarchy retains the formal trappings of its absolute past, the Sovereign no longer rules, all political power has shifted to the democratically mandated politicians, parliament and cabinet. Although the organs of state are officially known as H.M.'s government, armed forces etc., the monarch's only influence is informal, trough confidential meetings such as the weekly audience granted to the Prime Minister, who once a year spends a whole weekend at the royal castle Balmoral in Scotland. Similarly the sovereign is nominal commander in chief of the military, in fact just meets officers and visits units while the cabinet and Ministry of Defense are in charge. As head of the Anglican state church, the monarch nowadays furthers ecumenism and religious tolerance. Famous symbols of the royal (formerly real) 'authority' include the priceless crown jewels, which in turn star in the mayor annual ceremony, the State Opening of Parliament, which symbolizes the constitutional rapport between crown and political power as the pomp is royal, the actual opening speech a policy statement entirely written by the PM. Written by KGF Vissers See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Queen Elizabeth II Self Self See fewer	Civilisation (1969)
Cherie Blair Self Self See fewer	The Rock Pile (2025)
Tony Blair Self Self See fewer	The Force of Nature (2022)
Gordon Brown Self Self See fewer	Songs of Praise (1961)
Prince Philip Self Self See fewer	Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute (2016)