Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. It is home to more than 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Headed by His Majesty the King, a Secretary-General, and a Board of Governors, the purpose of the Commonwealth is for international cooperation and to advance economics, social development, and human rights in member countries. Some important Commonwealth initiatives include the Commonwealth Games, The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy and The Commonwealth Blue Charter. Did you know that Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the 2nd Monday every March, and the Commonwealth Flag are the results of Canadian Efforts? In the lead up to the 1973 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau and Commonwealth Secretary-General Arnold Smith created a special pennant to be flown on the diplomatic cars coming to and from the meeting - this design was slightly modified and adopted by the CHOGM in Canberra, Australia in 1976. Trudeau's proposal that Commonwealth Day be celebrated around the world on the same day - 2nd Monday in March, was also implemented. PLEASE NOTE: the flags presented here are just the ones collected so far, it is not an exhaustive list of ALL the flags of the Commonwealth. |
Read the Charter of the Commonwealth here. |
Commonwealth Realms - King Charles III
Commonwealth Realms are the fifteen independent countries that have evolved from fledgling colonies and dependencies into equal, sovereign nations that maintain the institution of the monarchy. His Majesty is head of state and simultaneously distinctly King in right of each separately. Day to day duties are generally delegated to a Governor-General, and in subdivisions such as Provinces or States, His Majesty is represented by a Lieutenant-Governor.
Commonwealth National Monarchies
Commonwealth National Monarchies are the five states that have their own traditional monarch or sovereign head of state - some of whom are elected, each with varying degrees of executive authority. For example, in Brunei, the Sultan is also Prime Minister, Defence minister as well as Finance minister. In Malaysia, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) is the head of state, and is chosen for a five-year term by a council of nine Sultans.
Commonwealth Republics
Commonwealth Republics are sovereign nations that have achieved independence from the UK and have an elected head of state who is not a monarch or member of a Royal Family. Countries without a direct historic connection to the United Kingdom have also been admitted to the Commonwealth. Examples of these members are Rwanda and Mozambique whose path to independence came from Belgium and Portugal respectively. Any nation may apply: commitment to democracy, Commonwealth goals and values, as well as close cultural, commercial or other ties and shared borders with other Commonwealth states are positive factors in gaining admission.
British Overseas Territories
British Overseas Territories have His Majesty The King as head of state who is represented by a Governor or Commissioner, and the several territories enjoy a broad spectrum of local self-government. While currently represented in the Commonwealth by the United Kingdom, several territories, dependencies as well as home nations do participate individually in programs such as The Commonwealth Games. The UK represents these territories in the Commonwealth as well as internationally for external matters such as defence, international trade and foreign policy.
Crown Dependencies
Crown Dependencies are self-governing possessions of the British Crown that are not part of the United Kingdom. Some have very ancient and peculiar forms of Government - the Isle of Man for instance, has a parliament is called The Tynwald that has been sitting for over a thousand years, while the Channel Islands consist of two Bailiwicks which are headed by Bailiffs, and their legislative assemblies are called The States. The United Kingdom takes responsibility for external affairs and defence on behalf of the Crown Dependencies.
Home Nations of the United Kingdom
Often referred to as the Home Nations, the United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and the Province of Northern Ireland, each of which have resident legislative assemblies with varying degrees of autonomy. While represented individually in the Commonwealth Games and other programs, the United Kingdom is the overall member state.
Looking For...
Commonwealth Realms: Belize, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.
Commonwealth National Monarchies: Brunei Darussalam, Eswatini, Tonga
Commonwealth Republics: Bangladesh, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Gabon, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Kiribati, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia
British Overseas Territories: Saint Helena (new), Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia & Sandwich Islands
Crown Dependencies: Jersey
Home Nations: Northern Ireland
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