but no less important for the social and cultural functions it fulfils.

less formal,

n addition, at times of national celebration or tragedy, The Queen publicly represents the nation's mood - for example, at annual commemoration of the war dead on Remembrance Sunday, or at celebrations for a national sporting victor

erform the ceremonial and official duties of Head of State, including representing Britain to the rest of the world;Provide a focus for national identity and unity;Provide stability and continuity in times of change;Recognise achievement and excellence;

Encourage public and voluntary service.

In all these roles, The Queen is supported by members of the Royal Family, who carry out many of the engagements which The Queen cannot undertake in person.

name,

What She Can Do. If the Queen pleases, she can ride in a horse carriage down Rotten Row, where others can only ride horseback. Her picture will appear on postage stamps, but she will not need them; her personal mail is franked. She can drive as fast as she likes in a car which needs no license number. She can tell her sister Margaret when she can marry, and will surely advise her on whom to marry. She can confer Britain's highest civilian decoration, the Order of Merit—one honor in which the Sovereign retains freedom of choice.

What She Can't Do. Elizabeth cannot vote. Nor can she express any shading of political opinion in public. The last monarch who did that was George III, who in 1780 personally canvassed Windsor against the Whig candidate Keppel. Elizabeth cannot sit in the House of Commons, although the buildi

ng is royal property

s the opening session of each Parliament, but she cannot w

She addresse

er own speech. She cannot refuse to sign a bill of Parliament. She cannot appe

ar as a witness in court, or rent property from her subjects.

in education or military trainin

- such as

such as Prince William and Prince Harry - do not undertake official duties full-time, but o

full-time, but oft

Every year the Royal Family as a whole carries ou

t over 2,000 official engagements throughout the UK and worldwide.

The Queen working by herself would be unable to attend every engagement to which she is invited. Members of the Royal Family can undertake local or specialist engagements which would otherwise have to be declined.