Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states that recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their Queen and head of state. In each state she acts as the monarch of that state regardless of her other roles. For example, in Canada she is known as "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada" or simply, the Queen of Canada.Upon the advice of the nations' prime ministers, the Queen appoints a governor-general to represent her as the de facto Head of State during her absence. The governor-general in turn exercises the powers of a constitutional monarch with a few symbolic, figurehead duties.
Fifteen of the nations are all former British colonies that became independent countries either after the ratification of the Statute of Westminster in 1931, the collapse of the Federation of the West Indies in 1961, or at later dates, the latest being Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983. Papua New Guinea was administered by Australia as an international trusteeship before independence in 1975.For a historical information see also Dominion.
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2 Countries formerly Commonwealth Realms 3 Republicanism in The Realms 4 Related pages 5 External Links |
The Commonwealth Realms are a part of, but should be distinguished from, the Commonwealth of Nations which is an organization of mostly former British colonies, the majority of whom do not recognize The Queen as head of state.
Commonwealth Realms are:
In her capacity as Queen of different Commonwealth Realms, Her Majesty does not use the British Royal Standard, but instead uses either her flag for that realm, or her personal flag as Head of the Commonwealth, which is also used when visiting Commonwealth countries where she is not recognised as Head of State.
Countries currently Commonwealth Realms
Flags of The Queen in Commonwealth Realms
Queen of Malta's Flag 1967 |
Governor-General of Malta's Flag 1964-1974 |
Following their independence from Britain, most Commonwealth countries retained The Queen as head of state, but eventually changed the title of the monarch to the Sovereign of their own respective nations. (i.e. The Queen of Australia, The Queen of Canada etc...) In each realm the monarch is represented by a Governor-General, a Governor or a Lieutenant Governor.
With time, some Commonwealth Realms moved to become republics, passing constitutional amendments removing the monarch as their head of state, and replacing the Governor-General with an elected or appointed president. They remained within the Commonwealth, following the precedent set by India in 1950, recognising the British monarch as 'Head of the Commonwealth', but not as head of state. Previously, republican status was incompatible with Commonwealth membership, prompting Ireland to withdraw from the association on becoming a republic in 1949.
In some former Commonwealth realms, including Malta, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mauritius, the office of President was a ceremonial post, but other countries, such as Ghana, Malawi and Gambia, the President was an executive post, held by the last Prime Minister.
However, in Fiji, the change to a republic in 1987 came as a result of a military coup, rather than out of any republican sentiment, as Fiji's indigenous chiefs had voluntarily ceded their country to the Crown. Even when Fiji was not a member of the Commonwealth, symbols of the monarchy remained, including the Queen's portrait on banknotes and coins, and, unlike in the United Kingdom, the Queen's Official Birthday is a public holiday. When Fiji was readmitted to the Commonwealth, the issue of reinstating the Queen was raised, but not pursued, although the country's Council of Chiefs reaffirmed that the Queen was still the country's 'paramount chief'.
In recent years, there has been some debate within the remaining Commonwealth realms about the continuing status of their monarchy. While some view the Queen's role as Head of State with either strong enthusiasm or passive indifference, others view her as an obstacle to true ' symbolic independence' from the United Kingdom. Those advocating change have pointed out that the majority of Commonwealth countries have long since become republics, and that were their countries to do the same, they too would accept the Queen as 'Head of the Commonwealth'.
Supporters of the monarchy argue that a republican head of state would cost more, not less, than the current monarchy. They point to the presidencies of the United States and France which cost more to maintain than their monarchies. They cite the additional costs involving in updating the governor-general's residences to full head of state presidential palace level, the costs of state visit, political advisors, increased ceremonial functions, etc, functions that in many cases do not exist for a governor-general, given that they are not a full head of state, but which would be required for a president. There is also, in large part because of previous long disputes over constitutional issues and reforms (especially in Canada and to some extent after the republican debate in Australia), a reluctance to enter into the extensive constitutional renegotiation that would be required to establish a new political system.
While The Queen's powers in Commonwealth realms are limited to appointing the Governor-General (and even this is done on the advice of the prime minister), her name and image play a prominent role in political institutions and symbols. For example, the Queen's image usually appears on coins and banknotes, and an oath of allegiance to her is usually required from politicians, judges, and new citizens. While some view a nation's political history and traditions to be part of their national identity, others view these traditions as anachronisms.
In Australia, Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating made clear his intention to make the country a republic by 2001. Following the holding of a Constitutional Convention in 1998, a referendum was held in 1999 on replacing the Queen as head of state with a President indirectly elected by Parliament. This was rejected because of divisions over how the future President should be elected, with some advocating direct election.
In neighbouring New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark and her predecessor James Bolger, have also voiced their support for republicanism, but this does not yet have popular support, although a republican movement has been established. There have also been doubts expressed about the future role of the monarchy in Canada, but there has been little sign of change in the immediate future.
In the Caribbean, P.J Patterson, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, and Owen Arthur, the Prime Minister of Barbados also plan to make their countries republics, replacing the Queen with a ceremonial president.
Countries formerly Commonwealth Realms
1. Presidency is ceremonial post.
2. Presidency is executive post.
3. Presidency originally ceremonial, now executive.
4. Presidency replaced office of Governor-General, but Republic not declared until 1949.Republicanism in The Realms
Related pages
External Links
[in alphabetical order]
