As well as being the head of the Royal Family for more than seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II was an important figure in several other countries as the head of the Commonwealth. Formerly known as the British Commonwealth, the Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries around the world that were once part of the British Empire.
It is home to 2.5 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Some 32 members are small states, including many island nations.
Following a vote in 2018, Charles III is the current head of the Commonwealth. He is King of 14 member states, while 36 other members are republics and five have different monarchs.
Read more: Princess Charlotte's adorable tribute to the late Queen's love of horses
The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire, but any country can join. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.
Member states have no legal obligations to one another but are connected through their use of the English language and historical ties. The Commonwealth Charter defines their shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as promoted by the Commonwealth Games, which happens every four years.
What nations make up the Commonwealth?
There are 54 countries in the association, and one can be found on each continent except Antarctica. These include:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Brunei Darussalam
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cyprus
- Dominica
- eSwatini
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- Saint Lucia
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Soloman Islands
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Vincent and The Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
Aside from the United Kingdom, King Charles III will rule over 14 of these nations:
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Belize
Canada
Grenada
Jamaica
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Solomon Islands
Tuvalu
Barbados cut ties with the British monarchy last year. Antigua and Barbuda announced plans last week for a referendum on becoming a republic within three years.
Jamaica, another Caribbean island currently in 12 official days of mourning for the Queen, appears hungry for sovereignty. Andrew Holness, the prime minister, said last year: "There is no question that Jamaica has to become a republic."
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