Royal Family | The Canadian Encyclopedia
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Royal Family

Canada is a constitutional monarchy with the King as head of state. The Crown holds the power to govern but this power is entrusted to the government, which is expected to lead on behalf of the people. The sovereign reigns by hereditary right — as opposed to the elected head of government — and is one of the three components of Parliament (the Crown, House of Commons and Senate).

Queen Elizabeth visiting the National War Memorial in Ottawa, ca. 1943-1965.

Timelines

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Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state of Canada, the United Kingdom and 13 other Commonwealth realms. She reigned from1952 to 2022, making her the longest reigning monarch in British and Commonwealth history. She was also the first monarch to be crowned Queen of Canada.

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Will & Kate: Prince and Princess of Wales

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