monarchy

Everyday

1. A monarchy is a country ruled by a king, queen or emperor, whose position is usually passed on in the family. tree →
2. The monarchy is the system of having a king or queen, or the royal family itself. tree →

In the lessons

In politics and history lessons, the UK is a constitutional monarchy: the King is head of state, but Parliament makes laws and the Prime Minister leads the government. Canada, Australia and New Zealand share the same monarch. The USA and Ireland are republics, with an elected president instead. Some people support the monarchy and some want a republic.

Examples

• The United Kingdom is a monarchy. tree →
• In a monarchy, the crown passes from parent to child. tree →
• France stopped being a monarchy long ago. tree →
• Canada's head of state is the British monarch. tree →
• Some people want to keep the monarchy, others do not. tree →
• Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. tree →
• The monarchy has existed in Britain for over a thousand years. tree →

Note

Countable: monarchies. Ruler: monarch. Opposite system: republic. Pronounced «MON-ar-kee»; «ch» sounds like «k».