The Sovereign

Canada's Constitutional Monarchy

Canada has long been a monarchy - under the kings of France in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, under the British Crown in the 18th and 19th centuries, and as a kingdom in our own right from Confederation in 1867 onward.

As Canadians, we offer our allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was proclaimed Queen of Canada by the Canadian Parliament on February 6, 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI.

Her ancestors (direct and indirect) were the 32 kings and queens who had reigned over our country since Henry VII and Francois I. These monarchs brought about the discovery, exploration, settlement, defence and development of Canada.

Although she is the Queen 15 other countries, she is, quite separately, sovereign of Canada by deliberate choice of Canadians. She is also the Head of the Commonwealth, which is made up of 51 independent sovereign states including Canada.

In Canada's constitutional monarchy the Sovereign personifies the state and is the personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians. Federal and provincial legislators, Cabinet ministers, public servants, military personnel, and new citizens at Canadian citizenship ceremonies, all swear allegiance to The Queen (not to a flag or constitution).

Canada's Constitution vests the executive powers of Canada in The Queen (although her representatives act on the advice of ministers responsible to the House of Commons or the legislative assemblies of the provinces). This explains why elections are called and laws are promulgated in The Queen's name

	Canada's Constitutional Monarchy Canada has long been a monarchy - under the kings of France in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, under the British Crown in the 18th and 19th centuries, and as a kingdom in our own right from Confederation in 1867 onward. As Canadians, we offer our allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was proclaimed Queen of Canada by the Canadian Parliament on February 6, 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI. Her ancestors (direct and indirect) were the 32 kings and queens who had reigned over our country since Henry VII and Francois I. These monarchs brought about the discovery, exploration, settlement, defence and development of Canada. Although she is the Queen 15 other countries, she is, quite separately, sovereign of Canada by deliberate choice of Canadians. She is also the Head of the Commonwealth, which is made up of 51 independent sovereign states including Canada. In Canada's constitutional monarchy the Sovereign personifies the state and is the personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians. Federal and provincial legislators, Cabinet ministers, public servants, military personnel, and new citizens at Canadian citizenship ceremonies, all swear allegiance to The Queen (not to a flag or constitution). Canada's Constitution vests the executive powers of Canada in The Queen (although her representatives act on the advice of ministers responsible to the House of Commons or the legislative assemblies of the provinces). This explains why elections are called and laws are promulgated in The Queen's name