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The Queen and the Commonwealth

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QUEEN AT 85 The Queen and the Commonwealth From Australia to Antigua, Canada to Cameroon, the Commonwealth is a remarkable international organisation, spanning every geographical region, religion and culture. It exists to foster international co-operation and trade links between people all over the world. The Queen is Head of State of 15 Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK. She is also Head of the Commonwealth itself, a voluntary association of 53 independent countries. Find out more about the Commonwealth in this section. About the Commonwealth After 60 years of its existence, the Commonwealth is a remarkable organisation which remains a major force for change in the 26 world today. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under British rule. The origins of the Commonwealth come from Britain's former Empire. Many of the members of the Commonwealth were territories which had historically come under British rule at various times by settlement, conquest or cession. The administration of such colonies evolved in different ways, to reflect the different circumstances of each territory. After achieving independence, India was the first of a number of countries which decided that, although they wished to become republics, they still wanted to remain within the Commonwealth. To reconcile these aims, the 1949 London Declaration recognised King George VI as Head of the Commonwealth. Following his death, the Commonwealth leaders recognised Queen Elizabeth II in that capacity. The Queen's role in the Commonwealth This is an important symbolic and unifying role. As Head, The Queen personally reinforces the links by which the Commonwealth joins people together from around the world. Government Initiatives IQ QUEEN AT 85 One of the ways of strengthening these connections Since 1977, Commonwealth Day has been is through regular Commonwealth visits. celebrated throughout the Commonwealth on the second Monday in March. During her reign, The Queen has visited every country in the Commonwealth (with the The Queen attends an inter-denominational exception of Cameroon, which joined in 1995) service held in Westminster Abbey, followed by and made many repeat visits. a reception hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary General. One third of The Queen's total overseas visits are Modern communications technology allows The to Commonwealth countries. Queen to speak to every part of the Commonwealth through her annual Christmas The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and and Commonwealth Day messages. other members of the Royal Family are also regular visitors to the Commonwealth. Both messages are delivered by The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth to the peoples of the The Queen keeps in touch with Commonwealth Commonwealth as a whole. They are unique in developments through regular contact with the that they are delivered on The Queen's own Commonwealth Secretary General and his responsibility, drafted without ministerial advice. Secretariat. Every two years a meeting of the Commonwealth This is the Commonwealth's central organisation. Heads of Government (CHOGM) is held, at Based in London, it co-ordinates many locations throughout the Commonwealth. Commonwealth activities. Her Majesty also has regular meetings with Heads of Government The Queen is normally present in the host country, from Commonwealth countries. during which she has a series of private meetings with the Commonwealth countries' leaders. Each year, The Queen attends the Commonwealth Day celebrations in London. Government Initiatives IQ QUEEN AT 85 The Commonwealth Games are a major sporting Country Date Status occasion which brings together young people Antigua and Barbuda 1981 Realm from all over the world in friendly competition. Australia 1931 Realm The Queen often attends the Commonwealth Games The Bahamas 1973 Realm to open or close them - most recently, the 2006 Bangladesh 1972 Republic Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. Barbados 1966 Realm Belize 1981 Realm In all these different ways The Queen, though Botswana 1966 Republic not part of the machinery of government in the Brunei 1984 Monarchy Commonwealth, acts as a personal link and Cameroon 1995 Republic Canada 1931 Realm human symbol of the Commonwealth as an Cyprus 1961 Republic international organisation. Dominica 1978 Republic The Gambia 1965 Republic Instead of the Royal standard, The Queen uses Ghana 1957 Republic special flags when she visits the Commonwealth. Grenada 1974 Realm Guyana 1966 Republic She has a personal flag - an initial E and crown India 1947 Republic within a chaplet of roses - for use at Jamaica 1962 Realm Commonwealth meetings. Kenya 1963 Republic Kiribati 1979 Republic In realms such as Canada, Australia and New Lesotho 1966 Monarchy Zealand, The Queen uses a different standard for Malawi 1964 Republic each individual country. Malaysia 1957 Monarchy The Maldives 1982 Republic Commonwealth Malta 1964 Republic Mauritius 1968 Republic Members Mozambi que 1995 Republic 28 There are 54 member countries of the Namibia 1990 Republic Commonwealth. These are listed below, with the Nauru 1968 Republic years in which they joined the Commonwealth. New Zealand 1931 Realm Also listed is their constitutional status. 'Realm' Nigeria 1960 Republic indicates a Commonwealth country which has Pakistan 1947 Republic The Queen as Sovereign, while 'monarchy' Papua New Guinea 1975 Realm Rwanda 2009 Republic indicates a Commonwealth country which has its St. Christopher and Nevis 1983 Realm own monarch as Head of State. St. Lucia 1979 Realm St. Vincent and the Grenadines 1979 Realm Nauru is a Special Member which does not Samoa 1970 Republic attend meetings of Commonwealth Heads of Seychelles 1976 Republic Government. Sierra Leone 1961 Republic Singapore 1965 Republic Since membership of the Commonwealth is Solomon Islands 1978 Realm entirely voluntary, any member can withdraw at South Africa 1931 Republic any time. Sri Lanka 1948 Republic Swaziland 1968 Monarchy The Republic of Ireland did so in 1949, as did Tanzania 1961 Republic Zimbabwe in 2003. Tonga 1970 Monarchy Trinidad and Tobago 1962 Republic The largest member of the Commonwealth is Tuvalu 1978 Realm Canada, at nearly 10 million square kilometres. United Kingdom Realm The most populous Commonwealth country is Uganda 1962 Republic India, with nearly 1.1 billion people. Vanuatu 1980 Republic Zambia 1964 Republic The smallest member is Nauru, with only 13,000 The largest member of the Commonwealth is Canada, inhabitants. at nearly 10 million square kilometres. The most populous Commonwealth country is India, The Commonwealth also includes the world's with nearly 1.1 billion people. driest and most sparsely populated country: The smallest member is Nauru, with only 13,000 inhabitants. Namibia. The Commonwealth also includes the world's driest and most sparsely populated country: Namibia. Government Initiatives IQ.
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