The monarchy is the heart of the United Kingdom's social, political and constitutional construction. The King is a non-party-political head of state, Supreme Head of the Church of England, head of the Commonwealth and head of state of fourteen former colonial nations, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The royal family is subject to intense public scrutiny, which has created tensions and fractures in the public image of the monarchy and risks undermining the Crown's broader political and constitutional role.

Craig Prescott presents a detailed and considered study of the role of monarchy in the twenty-first century and how it might adapt to survive and continue to be relevant for the people of Britain and the wider world.