Monarchy...any ideas on how to explain how the British monarchy works to a Filipino?

[Farmerg]

My girlfriend has been asking me about the queen and how she rules the country, she seems to think England is still ruled the same way as it was by henry VII !
I am not a monarchist and don't know the best way to explain to her about the Monarchy & how it works here.

Any ideas?

[imagine]

difficult one , i guess its like keeping a living piece of history, the monarchy dont realy rule anymore, they are just a show piece, a tourest attraction, a peice left over from a once great empire,like a treasued trophy,something we have that others dont,and is shown off, most of the queens duty is ceramonial tasks only, we are not amused,, off with her head

[joebloggs]

I think since Cromwell, Parliament has ruled the country( but now Brussels does ), and the Monarchy are just for the tourists

“i tell you we will cut off his head with the crown upon it .”

Cromwell to one of the judges at the trial of King Charles I.1648.

[Terpe]

I'm neither for nor against the monarchy.

But to answer the original question, a good way to be informed about the Monarchy, it's history and how it works would be here:-
http://www.royal.gov.uk/hmthequeen/hmthequeen.aspx

In theory, the ruling Monarch has immense powers. Virtually all the organisation of British Government resides at her majesty's pleasure.

Mostly, the monarch's powers should be reserved for emergency situations, and in practice are very rarely used. But they could be.

Look, the Monarch (The Queen) is The Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces.

The Queen also has powers to declare war, veto any bill passed by Parliament and to appoint or dismiss government ministers, including the Prime Minister.

Does that seem like enough power or what?

Plenty of people swear an oath of loyalty to the monarchy, including my wife.

[Arthur Little]

unashamedly, I admit to being a TRUE BRIT and Royalist supporter ...

[Arthur Little]

... and - most definitely - NOT a "dyed-in-the-wool" Nationalist!

[Englishman2010]

... and - most definitely - NOT a "dyed-in-the-wool" Nationalist!

Nice to know that you're a Brit Arthur . I'm sure you're also a proud Scot, as I am also a proud Englishman. Great Britain needs the English, Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish to be a great nation and indeed a United Kingdom

[Arthur Little]

Nice to know that you're a Brit Arthur .
I'm sure you're also a proud Scot, as I am also a proud Englishman

... I am indeed, Ian ... it's good that we both take pride in our combined National Heritage!!

Great Britain needs the English, Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish to be a great nation and indeed a United Kingdom

Precisely ... !

[Farmerg]

I would like to say thank you to every ones comments & advise, I was a bit nervous when I posted this question as I thought no one would reply.
I have posted questions on other websites & have found the members to be very "clicky", I have had no comments or abuse on these other sites but your all friendly here

[Arthur Little]

In theory ... as Terpe explains ... the *Monarch has "limitless" powers ... but, from a practical angle, Parliament "calls the shots" - although, as Head of State [albeit a "figurehead"!] - the reigning sovereign's ultimate sanction is required for Parliament to be dissolved when the Prime Minister decides to call a General Election. And ... yes ... *he/she is also empowered by Royal Warrant to exercise his/her authority with regard to each of the other functions Terpe mentions.

[Ako Si Jamie]

Just tell her she's an idle layabout who has her own TV programme at Xmas where she patronizes the nation.