Around the WORLD

Earth’s map is dotted with places where Queen Elizabeth is the symbolic leader as head of the Commonwealth

HER Majesty may be head of state in the United Kingdom , but her re a ch extends to 14 other nations in the Commonwealth realm. These 14 nations are part of the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of 54 independent countries.

Formerly known as the British Commonwealth, the purpose of the association is to promote democracy, trade and international cooperation and to advance economics, social development and human rights in member countries.

Most of the countries are former colonies of the British Empire.

Nations that belong to the realm recognise the monarch as head of state. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations benefit from cooperation between nations in the organisation.

As head of state of the realm and head of the Commonwealth, the queen’s role is largely symbolic.

“The Commonwealth bears no resemblance to the empires of the past,” the queen herself has said.

“It is a conception built on the highest qualities of the spirit of man: friendship, loyalty and the desire for freedom and peace.”

HER MAJESTY’S DUTIES

The queen’s official responsibilities include holding discussions with Commonwealth leaders, delivering a Commonwealth Day broadcast on the second Monday in March and, when she was younger, visiting Commonwealth countries.

As head of state of the realm, she’s represented in each member country by a governor- general, who carries out the queen’s day-to-day ceremonial duties – appointing ministers, ambassadors and judges and giving royal assent to legislation, much like the queen’s duties in the UK.