what does it mean to be a commonwealth country

Australia was one of the founding nations of the Commonwealth, despite being on the other side of the world, and retains a close relationship with the UK.Ī statement from the Australian Parliament explains: “As Australia’s history is closely tied to Britain we have chosen to maintain our membership of the Commonwealth to the present-day.See also: British Nationality Act 1948 and British subjectĬommonwealth citizenship was created out of a gradual transition from an earlier form of British nationality. The situation is similar in Australia, which was a British colony until 1901. As a number of the first Commonwealth nations were recently-founded republics, like Canada, membership of the Commonwealth was seen as a unifying principle that could bring together nations of different political systems. In terms of the specifics, Canada wanted closer ties with the UK in the post-war years to aid its lucrative export market. Both Australia and large parts of Canada were formerly under the control of the British Empire and their remains similarities in culture, society and language that bind the nations. Related: Nostradamus predictions in 2022 Why are Canada and Australia in the Commonwealth?Īs a general rule, Commonwealth nations opt to be in the group because of close political and historic ties with the United Kingdom. However after the death of Queen Elizabeth II this week, it was confirmed that King Charles III would become Head of the Commonwealth. The Head of the Commonwealth is not necessarily a hereditary role, despite the fact that it has always been assumed by the British monarch. One of the first to do so was India, which decided to remain in the Commonwealth after its status as a republic was confirmed.

Many of the members were formerly a part of the British Empire who opted to retain close ties with Britain after their independence. Over the following 80 years the Commonwealth has expanded to span 54 independent countries. 5BIRSqF9yz- The Associated Press September 9, 2022 Take a look back at the life of the monarch, from her early days of service and public duty to her later influence as head of the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II has been the mainstay of Britain’s national identity for more than seven decades.

What does it mean to be a commonwealth country