Final answer:
The Queen is the ceremonial head of state with a symbolic role, while the Prime Minister is the head of government with executive powers, managing the country's affairs and policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the role of the Queen and that of the Prime Minister can be summarized as follows: The Queen is the ceremonial head of state and represents continuity and the heritage of the country, whereas the Prime Minister holds executive power and is responsible for setting policy agendas, crafting legislation, and responding to crises. The Queen's role is more symbolic and includes duties such as hosting state dinners and attending national celebrations, while the Prime Minister has tangible political power and deals with the day-to-day running of the government, both domestically and in terms of foreign policy.
As per the options presented in the question, the correct choice is (a) The Queen is the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister holds executive power. This is because the constitutional monarchy of the UK dictates that the monarch has a largely ceremonial role while the elected government, led by the Prime Minister, manages the country's affairs. The Queen, through her representative roles in Commonwealth realms or through occasions like the opening of the Olympic Games, serves as a unifying national symbol. In contrast, the Prime Minister, as head of government in a parliamentary democracy, exercises control over policy enforcement and implementation.