The Dukes of Cambridge, William and Catherine, are currently in Belize, as part of an official visit to the Caribbean and Atlantic, to strengthen Britain’s ties with countries in the region.

The visit of the Duke and Duchess to Belize is the first by a member of the British royal family since 2012, when prince henry he visited the country as part of the Elizabeth II Silver Festival. On this occasion, Guillermo and Catalina’s visit coincided with the celebration Jubilee Platinum King.

The Duke will also visit Jamaica and the Bahamas. These two countries, as well as Belize, were British colonies in the past and, although they became independent decades ago, Elizabeth II continues to hold the head of state.

After Barbados was turned into a republic, last November, Elizabeth II is still the Head of State of 15 of the 54 countries from the five continents that make up Commonwealth of Nations HI Commonwealth, formerly known as the British Commonwealth of NationsBritish Commonwealth of Nations).

early colonial

The origin of this association goes back to last years of the British Empirewhen formed as an association of States which until then were under British rule, such as Canada, Australia or India, details the British Council.

In the early 19th century, British imperial policies began to soften under the pressure of greater self-determination. After some countries started to gain some degree of freedom from Britain, they were known as the ‘domain’ and the leaders of the kingdom attended the conference which began in 1887.

Canada was the first to gain self-government (in the 1840s) and also the first to become a ‘power’ (1867).

The status of ‘power’, which allowed self-government and broad independence in foreign affairs, fundamentally changed the relationship between the colonies and imperial powers. It seems to be in this spirit that the British politician Lord Rosebery, who visited Adelaide, Australia, in 1884, referred to the empire as “the nations of the commonwealth.”

Australia achieved ‘Dominion’ status when its states merged as the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. New Zealand followed in 1907, South Africa in 1910 and the Irish Free State in 1921. The five Dominions and India have their own representatives in the League of Nations. -Nation, the forerunner of the United Nations.

England and the Dominions were characterized in the Balfour Report of 1926 as autonomous community within the British Empire, equal status, absolutely not subject to each other in every aspect of their internal or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associate as members British Commonwealth of Nations.

The Statute of Westminster, passed by the British Parliament in 1931, legally recognizes the Dominion’s de facto independence.

The Parliaments of Canada, South Africa and the Irish Free State quickly passed legislation enacting the legislation. Australia adopted it in 1942 and New Zealand in 1947. Newfoundland relinquished its Dominion status and was incorporated into Canada in 1949.

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current commonwealth

It was not until 1949, with the London Declaration, that member states Commonwealth Yes they are not required to have the king of England as Head of State. This decision was taken after India joined Commonwealth in 1947, he declared that he would become a republic, but wished to remain in the commonwealth.

Association removed “British” from its title, Becomes Commonwealth of Nations (Commonwealth of Nations)and its member states are required to recognize the reigning monarch, then King George VI, as Head Commonwealthnot the Head of State.

That Commonwealth it became an organization based on voluntary and equal cooperation between very different members, such as Rwanda and Mozambique, its two most recent additions.

Integration into Commonwealth it’s voluntary and by no means subject to the British monarchy. In total, the 54 countries that make it up unite 2.5 billion people (nearly a third of the world’s population) and include both developed and developing economies.

At the moment Commonwealth headed by Elizabeth II, a symbolic position she inherited from her father, George VI, though this role need not fall to a member of the royal family or a British citizenbecause member states are free to nominate future heads of organizations.

As this is not a hereditary position, Britain’s rulers in 2018 suggested to commonwealth leaders that they elect Prince Charles as his successor, a request that was accepted. (I)