The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers regulated by the British constitution. The term may also refer to the role of the royal family within the United Kingdom's broader political structure. The monarch since 8 September 2022 is King Charles III, who ascended the throne on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.