Queen Elizabeth II is neutrality personified and, in her 60 years on the throne, has installed each and every Prime Minister into office with a smile. Once a week, the monarch meets the head of government for a confidential meeting. During lockdown in England, the Queen held the meeting on the phone. These conversations are strictly confidential and neither the Queen nor the politicians should speak about the content in public. Because contrary to her public neutrality, she can and should express her opinion on the policies of her government team in these meetings.
One of the Queen’s responsibilities to her government is to deliver a speech written by the Prime Minister at the opening of Parliament. In it, the monarch sets out the important points of future politics.
Queen Elizabeth II has already welcomed 14 prime ministers
During her time on the throne, the Queen has seen 14 prime ministers come and go. Winston Churchill was in office when she ascended the throne. Boris Johnson is the last and has only just announced his resignation. Aged 96, she is expected to welcome the 15th to the palace in the next few weeks and be asked to form a government.