Is Queen Elizabeth II a ruler?

Yes, she is and so is Barack Obama or Rafael Correa. The word ruler in this case stems from the verb Rule which means to exercise dominating power or influence; to govern in other words. The translation into Spanish would be REGIR so the noun Ruler is Regidor, aquel que gobierna generalmente algún tipo de territorio con autonomía jurídica. The extent of that power and authority is limited by the source of that power. In the case of constitutional presidents that power comes from the people and is limited by what they may decide (or at least that is the idea).  That explains why the words Rule and Ruler are not usually associated to that term. 
That is not the case with Kings or Emperors whose power and authority supposedly  is conferred  by God himself so the word Ruler is more appropriate in this case. 
So here a Ruler, if not used as the instrument to measure lenght, then is the one who governs a country. Queen Elizabeth II is a Ruler and so were his predecessors and perhaps will be her successors. Of course, these days that Rule is only limited to a decorational figure for the real power is channeled through other means.

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