The Emperor of the United States of Europe was the head of state of the USE. The position was modeled on up-time constitutional monarchs, such as those of the United Kingdom, and the Emperor's powers were set out in the USE's Constitution. Even so, the Emperor's powers were closer to those of an 18th-century British king than a 20th-century one. In particular, it appeared that the Emperor had significant control over the USE's military forces, particularly the army, and may not have needed the approval of Parliament to commit them.