<Tr> <Th> Formation </Th> <Td> 1559 </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> Anglicanism portal </Li> </Ul> <P> The Supreme Governor of the Church of England is a title held by the British monarch that signifies titular leadership over the Church of England . Although the monarch's authority over the Church of England is largely ceremonial, the position is still very relevant to the church and is mostly observed in a symbolic capacity . The Supreme Governor formally appoints high - ranking members of the church on the advice of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who is in turn advised by church leaders . </P> <P> By 1536, Henry VIII had broken with Rome, seized the Church's assets in England and declared the Church of England as the established church with himself as its head . The Act of Supremacy 1534 confirmed the King's status as having supremacy over the church and required the peers to swear an oath recognising Henry's supremacy . Henry's daughter, Mary I, attempted to restore the English Church's allegiance to the Pope and repealed the Act of Supremacy in 1555 . Elizabeth I ascended to the throne in 1558 and the next year Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy 1558 that restored the original act . To placate critics, the Oath of Supremacy which peers were required to swear, gave the monarch's title as Supreme Governor rather than Supreme Head of the church . This wording avoided the charge that the monarchy was claiming divinity or usurping Christ, whom the Bible explicitly identifies as Head of the Church . </P>

Is the queen of england head of the anglican church