Is HM Elizabeth II the most influential monarch to ever reign?

[Clara]

HM Elizabeth II has visited both her royal realms and other countries like China and her tv shows have shown how modern royals live. Who else has been this influential? Plus she has Facebook, twitter, webpage for the Internet further expanding her influence

[megalomaniac]

Not really. Don't get me wrong, she's a good monarch and she has served for a very long time and has done some very good things. Rarely makes a mistake. However, her influence isn't nearly as much as more 'absolute' monarchs. So, in terms of quality, she is way up there, but in terms of influence, not as much.

In British History I would say that Victoria, or even Elizabeth 1st were more influential, along with many other monarchs. In British History I would pick Alfred as the most influential. He's not called Alfred the Great (the ONLY British monarch to have that title) for nothing.

However, other countries have had even more influential monarchs owing to the fact that Britain was an early pioneer of constitutional monarchy (i.e. lessening the power of the monarchy to allow a certain amount of democracy). This was a good thing, but it meant that British monarchs didn't wield as much power as other more absolute monarchs (like Tsars in Russia for example).

Just because she is well travelled and has an internet presence doesn't mean that she is hugely influential. She has "soft power" and does indeed have some influence but not that much "real power" in the relative sense of things.

[YYYZZ 2]

No. She has no influence over anything..... not even England. They have a democratically elected government. Out of politeness the prime minister informs Her Masjesty, what they are planning/discussing.
Peace.

[Austin]

No. Queen Victoria was more influential.

dont listen to idiots that think the queen has no power.
- The Queen alone, as Head of the Armed Forces, may declare war or peace
- The Queen alone may conclude treaties
- The Queen (as commander-in-chief) may choose and appoint officers of all ranks
- The Queen may convoke, adjourn, remove, and dissolve Parliament
- The Queen may appoint a Prime Minister of her own choosing
- The Queen may dismiss the Prime Minister and his Government
- The Queen can choose and appoint all judges, councillors, officers of state, etc.
- The Queen may initiate criminal proceedings, and she alone can bestow a pardon
- The Queen may refuse the Royal Assent
- The Queen may refuse to dissolve Parliament when requested by the Prime Minister
- The Queen can choose and appoint all Archbishops, Bishops, and ecclesiastical dignitaries
- The Queen may exercise the refusal of the “Queen’s Consent” (direct Monarchical assent is required for a bill affecting the prerogative, hereditary revenues or the personal property or interests of the Crown to be heard in Parliament).
- Since the Sovereign is “first in honour, dignity and in power--and the seat and fountain of all three,'' the Queen may bestow all public honours, including creating peerages or bestowing Orders of Chivalry


The Queen’s non-political (ceremonial) roles include the following:

- Perform the ceremonial and official duties of Head of State
- Represent Britain to the rest of the world
- Provide a focus for national identity and unity
- Provide stability and continuity in times of change
- Recognise achievement and excellence (by means of awards, medals or orders)
- Encourage public and voluntary service
- Support charities and foundations and highlight their causes

[C.G.]

No other royal family is as well-known as the British royals.

Monaco's Rainier and son,Albert II, were/are influential in their reigns, turning Monaco from a sleepy town for shady people into a rich person's haven, and a vacation destination for many.