The UK government is formally called "His Majesty's Government" (or "Her Majesty's" when the monarch is female). Ministers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister and take an oath of office. Many actions of government — declaring war, signing treaties, granting honours, dissolving Parliament — are still taken under the "royal prerogative" in the monarch's name, although in practice on the advice of ministers.
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In return, the monarchy is funded from public money via the Sovereign Grant, agreed between the Treasury and the Royal Household and reviewed every few years. The monarch's political neutrality is preserved by long-standing convention: the King receives the Prime Minister in a weekly audience but his views are not made public.
You may be asked what "royal prerogative" means, or why ministers are described as "His Majesty's ministers".
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