What Does The Queen Do? Royal Duties Explained Amid Elizabeth II's Health Scare

After a "heavy cold" made Queen Elizabeth II miss Christmas and New Year's Day church services for the first time in decades, spectators around the world began to scrutinize everything from potential funeral plans to the sheer reason the British monarchy exists. But in order to discuss who the next queen (or king) might be, you first have to know the job description.

The queen is the British head of state in a constitutional monarchy, meaning that even though she's the sovereign, Elizabeth doesn't actually govern the country or come up with laws, according to the palace website. That power is reserved for the elected Parliament and prime minister.

Instead, the queen's main job is to be a political figurehead. Alongside her formal rights, which include being consulted by the prime minister and weighing in on certain national decisions, her duties are a mix of tradition and morale-boosting, according to the British Monarchist Foundation.

"The Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognizes success and excellence; and supports the ideal of voluntary service," the palace writes on its site. "In all these roles, the Sovereign is supported by members of their immediate family."

Queen Elizabeth opens Parliament every year and technically retains the ability to dissolve it. She also signs off on all laws and serves as the head of the Church of England. She can pardon criminals and declare war, as well, though she rarely does so, according to Royal Central. Mostly, her objectives are "seeing and being seen by as many people as possible, and for them to go away feeling something special," as assistant private secretary Edward Young told TIME in 2006.

As a result, the queen is extremely popular among her citizens. In a poll taken this past April, 70 percent of respondents said they hoped she would remain as their leader for as long as she could, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Elizabeth became queen in 1952. She is 90 years old.