The "Queen of England" refers to the female monarch who serves as the head of state for the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. As of October 2023, the current queen is Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne in 1952. The role of the queen includes ceremonial duties, representing the nation at official events, and performing functions such as the State Opening of Parliament. The queen's powers are largely symbolic, as the UK operates under a constitutional monarchy. This means that while she is the head of state, the actual governance of the country is carried out by elected officials, including the Prime Minister and Parliament.