ceremonial role
Ritual official function
A ceremonial role is a position with formal or symbolic duties but little actual power.
The British monarch holds a largely ceremonial role—attending state functions, opening Parliament—while elected officials govern.
The presidency is mostly ceremonial; real power lies with the prime minister.
The phrase often implies the role looks impressive but lacks substance.
- head of stateNation's chief representative
- titular headLeader lacking actual authority
- chairpersonOne who leads meetings
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
- royal weddingSovereign's marriage celebration
priest · bishop · shaman · governor-general · cantor · tribal chief · president · chancellor · oath of office · imam · dean · figurehead · first lady · regalia · oracle · master of ceremonies · patron · rabbi
- monarchyking, queen, prince, princess, crown
- elder councilchief, patriarch, matriarch, tribal elder, village elder
- figureheadsfigurehead, puppet, titular head, front man, constitutional monarch
- honorary titleshonorary doctorate, honorary degree, honorary president, honorary citizen, honorary title
- political perkssalary, base salary, per diem, allowances, expense account
functional authority
ceremonial roleleadership role
executive authority · real power · chief executive · administrative authority · power broker