King Charles III became King in 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for more than 70 years. The King is a constitutional monarch. This means his roles are quite different from those of historical kings and queens. The King is known for his sense of duty and he has devoted his life to service. He has become a figurehead for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth during a challenging time for many people around the world.

Scroll down to the 'Explore our linked images and objects' section to discover some of the responsibilities previous monarchs have undertaken in their role as Head of State.