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What is the difference between a head of state and a head of government in a monarchy?

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monarchy Augustus, bronze sculpture from Meroe, Sudan, 1st century ce; in the British Museum.

In a monarchy, the distinction between a head of state and a head of government depends on the specific type of political system in place.

Head of State

In a monarchy, the head of state is typically a king or queen whose position is inherited. This role serves to symbolize the unity and integrity of the state. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is expected to remain apolitical and performs primarily ceremonial duties, such as representing the country abroad or formally appointing a prime minister. Conversely, in absolute or semiconstitutional monarchies, the monarch may retain significant executive power or the authority to distribute those responsibilities.12

Head of Government

The head of government is the individual who exercises practical political power and acts as the country's chief executive. This person is responsible for managing the government, setting policy, and overseeing state agencies. In many monarchies, the monarch appoints a separate head of government—often called a prime minister—to handle these day-to-day political functions, thereby separating the symbolic leadership of the state from the active administration of government.23