Final answer:
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where the monarch serves as a symbolic head of state with limited powers, while the actual governance is carried out by elected officials, such as a prime minister and a parliament.
Step-by-step explanation:
A constitutional monarchy is best defined by option B) The monarch serves as the symbolic head of state, with ultimate power held by elected officials. In this type of government, while the monarchy may retain some executive powers, it must operate within the constraints of a constitution. Countries such as Great Britain and Canada are examples of constitutional monarchies, having evolved from absolute monarchies to systems where the monarch is mainly a ceremonial figure, and a prime minister along with other elected officials hold significant power to make policies and govern the nation.
The monarch's role is often deeply rooted in national tradition and adds to the ceremonial and cultural heritage of the country, despite having limited political authority. The United Kingdom, for instance, is ceremonially led by the Royal Family, but legislative authority is vested in the democratically elected Parliament, led by the prime minister.