The Constitution

Constitutional Monarchy: Introduction

Constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchical government established under a constitutional system that acknowledges an elected or hereditary monarch as head of state. Modern constitutional monarchies usually implement the concept of trias politica or "separation of powers", where the monarch either is the head of the executive branch or simply has a ceremonial role. Where a monarch holds absolute power, it is known as an absolute monarchy. The process of government and law within an absolute monarchy can be very different from that in a constitutional monarchy.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth Realm that formally recognizes Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada. Though the United Kingdom and Canada share the same Monarch, the Queen of the United Kingdom is a legally separate role from the Queen of Canada.

This section will explain in greater detail the evolution and workings of constitutional monarchies both in general and more specifically, how Canada functions as a constitutional monarchy. It will also look at the role of the monarchy in Canadian politics and current debates over the role of the monarchy in Canada.

• Overview: A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchical government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges a hereditary or elected monarch as head of state.
• The Monarch: A brief biography of Queen Elizabeth II.
• The Monarchy in Canada: An overview of the role of the monarchy in Canada.
• Debate on the Monarchy: A look that the arguments, both pro and con, of retaining the monarchy in Canada.

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Related Sites

• Canadian Monarchy Official Site
• Monarchist League of Canada
• Canadian Monarchist ONLINE
• Canadian Royal Heritage Trust