Do the British Royal Family Still Rule the Commonwealth?
The role of the British Royal Family and the Commonwealth has evolved significantly over the centuries, shifting from a position of absolute rule to one of symbolic leadership. This article examines the historical context, current status, and future prospects of the Royal Family's position within the Commonwealth.
Historical Context
Our Monarchs have not ruled us for quite some time. Britannia may still rule the waves, but our Sovereigns merely reign. Her Majesty is the Head of State for every Commonwealth country.
No, the Commonwealth is Not a Monarchical Hegemony
The Commonwealth was designed to be a family of equals from its earliest inception. King George VI was its first head, and The Queen its second. It has been agreed that Charles will be its third when he becomes King. However, the post is not inherited and has no authority over any member states, other than the 16 Commonwealth Realms.
The vast majority of the members are former colonies, but a few have joined who were not colonies of the UK, such as Mozambique, Cameroon, and Rwanda. The Monarchy does play a pivotal role as a symbolic unifier. The Monarch is non-political but does help drive the Commonwealth's ethos. Despite the wrongs of colonialism, member states generally look favorably upon the UK and are very fond of the Monarchy.
The Roles of the Royal Family and the Commonwealth
The Royal Family itself does not possess any powers for two significant reasons. Firstly, there is no legal definition of the Royal Family; it is merely a term of convenience that varies depending on the context. Secondly, only the reigning monarch has any powers, while a male heir, as Duke of Cornwall, has some say over the Duchy of Cornwall and as heir to the throne has influential access and information that is not readily available to most other people.
The Queen's Role in the Commonwealth
The Queen, not the "Family," is the Head of the Commonwealth but not the individual countries that compose it. She is, however, the Head of State of 16 of those countries. It is said that she reigns but does not rule, as each country has a democratically elected government to handle such matters. The Queen does have constitutional duties in her realms but for the 15 where she does not live, she has Governors General to perform those roles on her behalf.
The Future of the Commonwealth and the Monarchy
Irrespective of the symbolism of the head, the English Language, democracy, and the rule of law remain the cornerstones of the Commonwealth's existence. There is no guarantee that the symbolic head will always be the British Monarch, but it is suspected that it will continue to be so due to the difficulties of politicizing such a position through other means.
The Secretary General of the Commonwealth is appointed by the member states, and this is usually not a Briton. This ensures that the Commonwealth remains a truly global organization, not just a legacy of the British Empire.
In conclusion, while the role of the British Royal Family has diminished significantly, their symbolic importance within the Commonwealth remains intact. The institution continues to function as a symbol of unity and shared values, while the power structures within the Commonwealth have evolved to embrace modern democratic governance.