I. The British Commonwealth of Nations

Fast Facts Headquarters: Marlborough House London, UK Official language:English Membership: 53 states Head: Queen Elizabeth II Establishment: · Statute of Westminster, 11 December 1931 · London Declaration, 28 April 1949 Flag:

The British Commonwealth that dates back to the mid 20th century with the decolonization of the British Empire is a voluntary association of 53 states and territories that have been or still are ruled by Britain. Independent states are “full members of the Commonwealth”. Among these states are Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Barbados, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Singapore, the UK, etc. Among dependent territories are Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, British Antarctic Territory, the British Virgin Islands and others.

Under the formula of the London Declaration (1949), Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth. Besides, 16 members of the Commonwealth (the Commonwealth realms) recognize the Queen as their monarch. Thus, Elizabeth II is:

Queen of Antigua and Barbuda

Queen of Australia

Queen of the Bahamas

Queen of Barbados

Queen of Belize

Queen of Canada

Queen of Grenada

Queen of Jamaica

Queen of New Zealand

Queen of Papua New Guinea

Queen of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Queen of Saint Lucia

Queen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Queen of the Solomon Islands

Queen of Tuvalu

Queen of the United Kingdom

However, when the monarch dies, the successor to the crown does not automatically become Head of the Commonwealth.

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