The monarchy of the United Kingdom, i.e. the British monarchy, is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The terms British monarch and British monarchy may also mean different things in different contexts beyond the United Kingdom (see Context).
The present monarch is Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned since February 6, 1952. The heir apparent is her eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales. Along with the Queen's husband and consort, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, they undertake various public duties in accordance with their positions.
Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth and, besides reigning in the United Kingdom, separately serves as head of state for each of fifteen other Commonwealth countries. This developed from the former colonial relationship of these countries to Britain, but they are now independent and the monarchy of each is legally distinct.
