A monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch, typically a king or queen, serves as the head of state. The monarch typically holds the position for life and is usually passed down within a royal family, a practice known as hereditary succession, often to the eldest child. This system provides stability and continuity. The monarch's power can range from absolute, with complete authority and the power to make all decisions regarding laws, government, and policy without checks from other governing bodies, to direct control over the government's functions. It can make and change laws without needing approval from different branches of government, as seen in Saudi Arabia, to constitutional, where their role is mainly symbolic and limited by a constitution and an elected parliament, as in the United Kingdom. Some monarchies are also elective, being chosen through a voting process or a decision by a specific group, rather than being inherited. For example, the monarch of Vatican City is selected by a particular group. Even in cases where the monarch holds little political power, they serve as a unifying symbol for the country, fostering national pride and a sense of continuity as the formal head of state, and representing the nation while embodying its traditions.