Do the Channel Islands belong to the UK?

The Channel Islands, which include Jersey and Guernsey, have a unique relationship with the UK. They are British Crown Dependencies, meaning they aren't officially part of the United Kingdom, but the UK government is responsible for their defence and international relations. Think of it like this: they're self-governing, with their own laws and parliaments, but the Queen is their Head of State. This arrangement dates back centuries, with the islands owing allegiance to the Crown since the Norman Conquest in 1066. Because they aren't part of the UK, they have their own tax systems and aren't represented in the UK Parliament. So, while they have strong ties to Britain, answering "true" would be incorrect because they maintain a distinct constitutional position. It's easy to see why some might think they are part of the UK, given the close relationship, but their status as Crown Dependencies makes them separate entities.