Classroom lesson 路 King馃嚞馃嚙 United Kingdom

King Charles III

What a monarch in the UK actually does in the year 2026

A portrait of King Charles III in a blue suit

Photo 路 Wikimedia Commons

What is it?

King Charles III is the King of the United Kingdom. He became King in September 2022, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II had been on the throne for 70 years. The UK is what is called a 'constitutional monarchy' - which means the King is the head of state, but elected politicians actually run the country.

Tell me more

A king in the UK today is not in charge of the laws. He doesn't decide things like school holidays or tax. The Prime Minister and the people elected to Parliament do that. The King's job is more about representing the country, hosting visitors from other places, and supporting hundreds of charities.

Charles III is also King of 14 other countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He doesn't live in those countries, but he is still their official head of state. Together these countries are called the 'Commonwealth realms'.

He is famous for caring about the natural world. He started farming organically on his own land back in the 1980s, when not many people had heard the word. He also looks after old buildings, helps train young people through a charity called the Prince's Trust (now the King's Trust), and is keen on the arts.

The official home of the King is Buckingham Palace in London. It has 775 rooms and a special guard of soldiers in red coats and tall bear-fur hats. The famous 'Changing of the Guard' ceremony outside the palace is watched by thousands of visitors every year.

In the classroom

Walk your class through this in 15 minutes.

Talk together

Discussion prompts

  1. 01In the UK the King is head of state, but doesn't make laws. Who do you think makes the rules where you live?
  2. 02The King supports lots of charities. If you could start a charity, what would yours be about?
  3. 03What other countries have a king or queen today? What other ways do countries choose a head of state?
Try this

Classroom activity

Design your own royal crest. You get to choose three things that should be on it - an animal that represents you, a colour that represents your family, and a motto (a short phrase you believe in). Compare crests as a class.

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