> I find the idea that (at least part of) the government identity is tied the "personal authority" of the ruler a bit bizarre Our semi-informal UK constitution

> I find the idea that (at least part of) the government identity is tied the "personal authority" of the ruler a bit bizarre Our semi-informal UK constitution distinguishes between 'the Crown' (the post) and 'the Monarch' (the individual who currently occupies that post). The parliamentary role is defined in terms of the Crown, not the specific Monarch. This is why we can have an immediate transition of power when the Monarch dies, following our rules of succession.