30. Her Majesty is the monarch to 14 countries in addition to the U.K. She is also Head of Commonwealth, which consists of 54 countries.

31. However, these are not the only roles she holds. She holds, among other titles, the title of Head of state, Head of nation, Head of Armed Forces or Sovereign of Garter.

32. In her role as Head of State Her Majesty is required to remain neutral in political matters. Her Majesty is therefore not allowed to vote in elections. The website of the royal family explains that the monarch has formal and ceremonial roles in the U.K. government. These include opening new sessions and authorizing proclamations and orders through the Privy Council. She can also appoint a prime minster and meet with him or her regularly.

33. In May 2021, the queen opened Parliament for the 67th time—having opened it every year of her reign except 1959 and 1963 (when she was pregnant and expecting Prince Andrew and Prince Edward) and 2022 due to, as Buckingham Palace put it, “episodic mobility problems.” 

34. The job of Her Majesty includes audience, which is one-on-1 meetings. According to the royal family’s website, there are more than 170 ambassadors and high commissioners in London at any given time, and the monarch will have an audience with each one shortly after the individual has assumed the role. In addition, she has weekly meetings with the prime minister where they can discuss issues related to government.

35. In 2016, the queen was still in power more than 660 investitures (an event that awards honors to individuals for their achievements, bravery or services to the U.K. and British oversea territories).

36. More than 600 patronages have been granted to Her Majesty.

37. There have been some criticisms of her reign. For example, after Princess Diana died in 1997, her Majesty was criticised for not returning to London from Balmoral Castle, Scotland and also for not having the British flag flown at half-mast until Diana’s funeral.  The monarch later addressed the Princess of Wales’ death in a televised statement.

She was a person I admired for her enthusiasm and dedication to her work.