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Queen Elizabeth II has served as reigning monarch for 68 years, dwarfing Queen Victoria’s 64 years on the throne. Much like her ancestor, she has gone down as one of the UK’s most beloved Queens and consistently tops popularity polls. However, her wings are comparatively clipped, and there are several things she can’t do.

Vote

The Queen can’t vote, as doing so could unfairly influence the outcome of an election.

Although she rarely makes public statements, any indication of how she might choose to vote could easily sway public opinion.

As such, she, along with the rest of the Royal Family, do not express their political opinions.

The country doesn’t even know their position on the Brexit process.

Hold public office

Unsurprisingly, her abstinence from political opinion applies to holding an elected Government position as well.

Although the public did not elect her, she already holds a public office and represents the country as its symbolic head.

The monarch has vital ceremonial roles in tandem with officials, but these lack any real decision-making power.

She could choose not to approve requests made by the Government, but this would deny the democratic process, something the Queen respects.

Break etiquette

Anyone familiar with high society will understand it operates on a strict set of principles.

The Royal Family takes this to another level, and they have set rules even the Queen may not flout.

One of these is the order of precedence, which requires family members to enter based on their rank.

By this rule, the Queen has to enter first on all occasions, followed, by the other royals.

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Change faith

Every reigning monarch since 1534 has committed themselves to the Church of England.

When King Henry VIII founded the church, he split from the papacy and abandoned Roman Catholicism.

While rules changed in 2011 which allowed Royal Family members to marry members of the faith, they may not convert.

Play Monopoly

Although the Royal Family has a wealth of properties which have long-inhabited the board, they can’t play Monopoly.

Prince Andrew hinted at this some time ago, but there are no official rules against them doing so.

Instead, they allegedly suffer the same fate as most other families and friends, as friendly games turn sour.

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