In the United Kingdom, The Queen's title includes the words 'Defender of the Faith'. This means Her Majesty has a specific role in both the Church of England and the Church of Scotland.

As established Churches, they are recognised by law as the official Churches of England and Scotland, respectively. In both England and Scotland, the established Churches are subject to the regulation of law. The principle of religious toleration is fully recognised both for those of other creeds and for those without any religious beliefs.

There are no established Churches in Northern Ireland nor in Wales. They were disestablished in 1869 in Northern Ireland and 1920 in Wales. There is no established Church in any Commonwealth country of which The Queen is monarch (i.e. a realm).

The Church of England, and the monarch's relation to it, was established through a series of Parliamentary Acts in the 1530s, which brought about the English Reformation.

Henry VIII broke from the Roman Catholic Church by denying papal claims to ecclesiastical or any other jurisdiction, and by declaring himself rather than the Pope as Supreme Head of the Church in England.

Listen to a speech given by The Queen at inaugural ceremony of the ninth General Synod of the Church of England in 2010:

The Sovereign's relationship to the Church of Scotland is different. Since 1707, the British Monarch has been required by the Treaty of Union to preserve the Church of Scotland, Scotland's established Church.

The Queen is therefore not the Supreme Governor of the Church of Scotland, but an ordinary member.

In addition to playing a role in the Churches of England and Scotland, The Queen recognises and supports the other faiths practised in the UK and Commonwealth.

The Queen's role as Head of State and Head of Commonwealth is to respect and recognise these various faiths, and to promote tolerance and understanding between people of different religions.

This is reflected in The Queen's Christmas and Commonwealth broadcast speeches, which have often addressed the theme of religious tolerance.

Members of different denominations faiths are represented at major Royal ceremonial occasions with a religious dimension - for example, weddings, funerals and services of thanksgiving.

Although Supreme Governor of the Church of England, throughout her reign The Queen has recognised other denominations within the Christian faith, hosting events which bring representatives of all denominations and faiths together, and attending various ecumenical gatherings and services.

Watch archive footage of The Queen attending her first annual Maundy Service as Sovereign at Westminster Abbey in 1952: