The Monarchy

 

The Monarchy is the oldest institution of government, dating back to the Dark Ages. It existed centuries before Parliament. The only interruption in the history of the Monarchy was when the country was a republic between 1649 and 1660. The Queen is descended from the Anglo-Saxon kings of Wessex. The Monarchy's absolute power has been progressively reduced over the centuries, but the Monarch still retains a significant constitutional role as Head of State.