Situated 10 to 30 miles off the north-west coast of France, the Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom.

They are dependent territories of the English Crown, as successor to the Dukes of Normandy.

The Channel Islands have two main administrative units, or Bailiwicks, of Jersey and Guernsey.

In each Bailiwick The Queen's personal representative is the Lieutenant Governor, who since the mid-eighteenth century has acted as the channel of communication between the Sovereign and the Channel Islands' government.

The islands have their own legislative assemblies, as well as their own administrative, fiscal and legal systems.

They have wide powers of self-government, although primary legislation passed by the assemblies requires approval by The Queen in Council (Privy Council).

The United Kingdom government is responsible for the defence and international relations of the Islands, and the Crown is ultimately responsible for their good government.

In fulfilling its responsibilities to the Islands, the Crown acts through the Privy Council. The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor is the Privy Counsellor primarily concerned with the affairs of the Channel Islands.

In the Channel Islands The Queen is known as The Duke of Normandy. At official functions, islanders raise the loyal toast to 'The Duke of Normandy, our Queen'.

The Queen has visited the islands on various occasions - most recently, in May 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of their liberation from German occupation.

History and background
The Channel Islands were part of the Duchy of Normandy when Duke William, following his conquest of England in 1066, became William I.

In 1106, William's youngest son Henry I seized the Duchy of Normandy from his brother Robert; since that time, the English Sovereign has always held the title Duke of Normandy.

By 1205, England had lost most of its French lands, including Normandy. However, the Channel Islands, part of the lost Duchy, remained a self-governing possession of the English Crown.

While the islands today retain autonomy in government, they owe allegiance to The Queen in her role as Duke of Normandy.