The monarchy

Today the British Queen is an important symbol of national unity. Her complete official royal title is 'Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith', but she is usually referred to as Her Royal Highness or Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen’s constitutional role, however, is mainly symbolic. It is the Queen who formally opens Parliament every autumn, but the speech she makes from the throne, giving details of the government’s future plans, is written for her by politicians. Nothing becomes British law without the monarch’s signature, but the Queen would never refuse to sign a bill which has been passed by Parliament. It is the Queen who officially appoints the Prime Minister, but traditionally she always asks the leader of the party with a majority in the House of Commons.

The most important function of the Queen is ceremonial. On great occasions, such as the State Opening of Parliament, she is driven through the streets in a golden carriage, guarded by soldiers. She gives a state banquet, usually in her home Buckingham Palace, when foreign monarchs or Heads of State visit Britain and soldiers dressed in eighteenth-century uniforms help her welcome them. The Queen and other members of the royal family take part in traditional ceremonies, visit different parts of Britain and many other countries and are closely involved in the work of many charities.

Once the British Empire included a large number of countries all over the world ruled by Britain. The process of decolonization began in 1947 with the independence of India, Pakistan and Ceylon. Now, apart from Hong Kong and a few small islands, there is no longer an empire. But the British ruling classes tried not to lose influence over the former colonies of the British Empire. An association of former members of the British Empire and Britain was founded in 1949. It is called the Commonwealth. It includes many countries such as Ireland, Burma, the Sudan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others. The Queen of Great Britain is also the Head of the Commonwealth, and so the Queen of Canada, Australia, New Zealand... As head of the Commonwealth, she meets and entertains prime ministers of the member states.

The Queen is very rich. In addition, the government pays for her expenses as Head of State, for a royal yacht, train and aircraft as well as for the upkeep of several palaces. The Queen's image appears on stamps, notes and coins. Since Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952, she has represented Britain in visits to most parts of the world.

Comprehension___________________________________________________

I. Match the phrases in English with their Russian equivalents. Find the sentences with them in the text and read them out.

the work of many charities	истинная власть находится в руках
true power lies in the hands of	глава Содружества
eighteenth-century uniforms	Её Королевское Величество
came to the throne	Официальная церемония открытия парламента
head of the Commonwealth	форма восемнадцатого века
the State Opening of Parliament	пришла к власти
never refuse to sign a bill	подпись монарха
оn great occasions	никогда не отказывается подписать законопроект
the monarch’s signature	оплачивает ее расходы
Her Royal Highness	в особых случаях
pays for her expenses	содержание нескольких дворцов
the upkeep of several palaces	работа многочисленных благотворительных организаций