The Monarchy is a form of government in which the king or queen is the Head of State; it has the following characteristics:
- Power is in the hands of one person.
- This person is called a king or queen.
- The power of a king or queen lasts until the monarch dies or unless he/she abdicates in favour of someone else.
- In European monarchies, the absolute power of kings/queens has been transformed into a parliamentary monarchy: the laws are governed by a constitution and power is in the hands of parliament.
- It is hereditary. A person is king or queen as a result of birth and is not chosen by the people.
- He/she is the supreme head of government.
There have been big changes in the power of kings and queens in the course of history. In ancient times there was no limit on the power of kings and queens: they had absolute power, there was no division of powers, and they only had to answer for their acts before God.
Nowadays, in constitutional monarchies or parliamentary monarchies the power of the king or queen is in the hands of the government and parliament. In other words, through a constitution the parliament is given the power to govern. And kings and queens do not rule directly.
The monarchy continues to be hereditary and the crown always corresponds to a member of the royal family. In some cases only males can be successors. The king or queen remains in that position for life, unless he/she abdicates or the crown is put into the hands of a successor.