How does the Commonwealth work?
There is no set of rules, treaty or constitution which binds the members of the Commonwealth together. Instead member countries make a commitment to the core values and principles of the Commonwealth as set out in the Singapore and Harare Declarations; and accept Commonwealth practices, such as the use of the English language. The emphasis is always on informality and flexibility.
The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth
The London Declaration of 1949 said that the British monarch would be a symbol of the free association of independent countries, and as such the Head of the Commonwealth. These words meant that republics could be members - they could accept the monarch as Head of the Commonwealth not as their own Head of State. Today, most member countries are republics.
Thus when Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 she became Head of the Commonwealth. She is a symbol of the association - she has no powers to decide what the Commonwealth should do or how it should conduct its affairs.
However, the Queen has had a very important role in shaping the modern Commonwealth. When she became Queen, she was a young woman. She sympathised with the young African politicians who were campaigning for independence from British rule. Throughout the last 50 years the Queen has shown a great commitment to the Commonwealth, visiting many Commonwealth countries and attending most Heads of Government Meetings.
When the Queen dies or if she abdicates, her heir will not automatically become Head of the Commonwealth. It will be up to the Commonwealth heads of government to decide what they want to do about this symbolic role.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings
After the Commonwealth Games, the Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGMs) are the most well known events of the Commonwealth. In the spotlight of the world's media, the Commonwealth leaders gather to discuss matters of common interest. The journalists are quick to emphasise disagreements, but the real work of the meetings goes on behind the scenes and away from the press.
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