the.com/figurehead
All title, no leverage — the crown without the keys.
means A person who holds a position of nominal authority while real power rests elsewhere.
from Literally the carved figure on a ship's prow: visible, decorative, and steering absolutely nothing.
Ship originNamed for the prow's ornamental bow figure.
Royal jobMany modern monarchs are constitutional figureheads.
Front meaningOften a respectable face for hidden operators.