The royal family serves purposes like providing national unity, stability, and continuity, acting as diplomatic soft power, boosting tourism and the economy, and supporting charities through patronages, though their direct political power is limited in a constitutional monarchy. They function as symbolic heads of state, representing the nation at home and abroad, recognizing achievement, and fostering social service ideals, essentially serving as a non-partisan focus for national identity and brand.
Members of the Royal Family often carry out official duties in the UK and overseas where the Monarch cannot be present in person, such as State funerals or national festivities, or undertake visits to strengthen Britain's diplomatic and economic relations.
What is the monarch's political and constitutional role? Although the monarchy no longer has political power, the monarch is still centrally involved in the business of government as head of state.
Although formally the monarch has authority over the government—which is known as "His/Her Majesty's Government"—this power may only be used according to laws enacted in Parliament and within constraints of convention and precedent.
The royal family's official website said that the monarch provides "a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of voluntary service".
Since the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, the Duchess of Kent has been the oldest member of the Royal Family.
That was confirmed by Nick Thomas-Symonds, Cabinet Office Minister for the Constitution, when he recently stated: 'The Sovereign may change the entitlement to the titles and styles such as “Prince” and “Royal Highness” under the Royal Prerogative. An Act of Parliament is required to remove a peerage once conferred'.
Yes, Prince Harry can be removed from the line of succession, but it's a complex process requiring an Act of Parliament in the UK and agreement from other Commonwealth realms, not something the King can do unilaterally; it would involve passing specific legislation, potentially due to his withdrawal from royal duties or other constitutional reasons, and would remove his children (Archie & Lilibet) as well, moving others up the line.
Abolition has been carried out in various ways, including via abdication leading to the extinction of the monarchy, legislative reform, revolution, coup d'état, and decolonisation.
There is no legal obligation for the King or Prince of Wales to pay tax. Since 1993, however, the Monarch and her or his heir has voluntarily paid statutory rates of income tax on income from the Duchies and earnings from personal investments but not on the Sovereign Grant.
The monarch's main source of income comes from a taxpayer-funded settlement known as the Sovereign Grant, which is paid annually. The Sovereign Grant was worth 86.3 million English pounds, or the equivalent of nearly $113 million, for the 2022-2023 year, per BBC. The same amount was granted in 2021-2022.
Saudi Arabia remains the leading absolute monarchy in global influence. IMF tables place nominal GDP around 1.08 trillion dollars in 2025. The kingdom's role in oil markets and its seventh-largest defence budget in 2024 sustain regional weight and growing global visibility. (IMF) (SIPRI) (IEA).
As of 2026, there are 15 Commonwealth realms: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom.
Recent attempts to measure the size of the impact of the royal family on UK tourism have estimated the capital value of UK monarchy as a business to be £67.5 billion (up from £44 billion in 2012) and the annual contribution to the UK economy to be £1.766 billion.
Yes, it's true that Beyoncé is distantly related to Queen Elizabeth II, specifically as her 25th cousin, once removed, connected by their shared ancestor, King Henry II, making "Queen B" a real-life royal relative. Their lineage traces back through French and Acadian roots, linking them through centuries of family lines.
Prince William was the most popular member of the British Royal Family, according to a survey conducted among adults in Great Britain in October 2025. By contrast, Prince Andrew was by far the least-popular member of the Royal Family, with just four percent of those surveyed having a positive opinion of him.
In May 2021, a YouGov poll showed reduced support for the monarchy, with 61% in favour and 24% against among all over-18s; there was a particularly high rise in republican views and an overall plurality for its replacement with an elected head of state in the 18–24 age group (41%–31%).
As the second child of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, Prince Harry, 41, is fifth in line for the throne after his brother, nephews and niece. His wife, Meghan Markle, is not in line for the throne – much like the Duchess of Cambridge – but their two children are.
A POLL has said support for the monarchy in the UK has fallen below 50%. The survey carried out by Savanta suggests just 46% of the public back keeping the royal family, with 39% saying they oppose it. This is down from 60% in a similar Savanta poll carried out in June.
But as another of William's closest friends once told me, when it comes to relationships with the future king, “it is all about trust and loyalty”. William feels he has lost both with Harry and that may prove too difficult a roadblock to pass.
When Prince William becomes King, his stepmother Queen Camilla will transition from Queen Consort (the wife of the reigning King) to Queen Dowager, a traditional title for a king's widow, meaning she will be styled as "Her Majesty Queen Camilla" and will remain a respected figure but step back from her primary consort role as Kate Middleton becomes the new Queen Consort. While she will retain her royal status and likely continue with charity work, her official duties and residence might change as she takes on a less prominent, supporting role.
Meghan Markle has publicly shared that she experienced postpartum preeclampsia, a serious and rare condition involving high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine that occurred after childbirth, describing it as a "huge medical scare". She revealed this on her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, highlighting the life-threatening nature of the disorder, which can happen weeks after delivery and impact new mothers' ability to care for their newborns.
The unusual change occurred as rumours were growing of a rift between Harry, brother William and their partners, The Sun reports. They claim the move is a snub to the Prince and Princess of Wales as all three of their children have Kate's names on their birth certificates.
Meghan Markle has jumped 11 points in new polling data partially recovering from a major slump in her U.S. popularity during the first half of 2025. The Duchess of Sussex's fan base crashed 13 points during two quarters, according to ratings data from YouGov, while those who disliked her also increased in number.
However, no paternity test has been undertaken and there is no evidence that Harry is not a Windsor. Anderson's book however is still stoking the rumours ten years on, he names witnesses who in fact say Diana and Hewitt were lovers before, not after, Harry was born.