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How does using “the crown” for a monarch illustrate metonymy?

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Louisa May Alcott: Little Women — figure of speech Front cover of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel *Little Women*.

Using "the crown" to refer to a monarch or the government they lead is a classic example of metonymy.

Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a word or concept is replaced by another term with which it is closely associated. In this instance, the physical object—the crown—is a traditional emblem of royal authority and sovereignty. Because the crown is so intrinsically linked to the person who wears it, the name of the object is used as a shorthand to represent the monarch themselves or the institution of the state they represent.123456

This rhetorical device is effective because it replaces an abstract concept (such as "the government" or "royal power") with a concrete, vivid image. By using the name of a related object, the speaker creates a direct association that is easily understood, allowing the term to function as a powerful and concise substitute for the person or entity in power.152